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MITCHELL’S 


ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY, 


DESIGNED FOR 

ACADEMIES, SCHOOLS, AND FAMILIES. 


A SYSTEM OF 

CLASSICAL AND SACRED GEOGRAPHY, 


EMBELLISHED WITH 

INGEAVINGS OF REMARKABLE EVENTS, VIEWS OF ANCIENT CIT1E8 


VARIOUS INTERESTING ANTIQUE REMAINS 

TOGETHER WITH AN 

ANCIENT ATLAS, 

CONTAINING MAPS ILLUSTRATING THE WORK 


SIAr 

BY S. AUGUSTUS MITCHELL, 



PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED BY E. H. BUTLER \ GO. 
1 863 . 





Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by 
S. AUGUSTUS MITCHELL, 

ia the clerk's office of the District Court of the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania. 


Gift 

Judge and Mrs. f.R.HItt 
Dec. XI, 1936 




PEEFACE. 


The extensive patron'age bestowed on Mitchell’s Primary Geography and 
School Geography and Atlas, determined the Publishers of those works, 
some time since, to complete the Series of which they form the introductory 
and secondary divisions, by the publication of a High School Geography 
and Atlas, comprehending a summary of Modern and Ancient Geography. 


The following work constitutes the Ancient or second division of the pub- 
fication proposed, and will be found to correspond, in style and general 
mode of arrangement, with those portions of the series already issued. It 
embraces two distinct sections ; one consisting of Classical, and the other of 
Sacred Geography: together with an Atlas, specially compiled to agree with 
and elucidate the Text. The chief object aimed at, in its composition, has 
been to arrange, in a progressive and distinct manner, a concise account 
of the countries and nations of antiquity, such as may readily be under- 
stood by the more advanced pupils in our schools and academies, and also 
by private students. The book and the maps are adapted to each other, and 
are designed to be used in connection throughout. Questions, to be an¬ 
swered from the Text and the Atlas, have been inserted, on the plan of those 
to be found in the other books of the series; but teachers need not restrict 
themselves to the questions given, and may dispense with them or not, at 
their discretion. 


To peruse the Sacred Scriptures or any portion of early history intelli¬ 
gently, some knowledge of ancient geography is an indispensable requisite. 
Without such knowledge, indeed, the perusal of history is comparatively 
worthless. Every inquiring student, therefore, in reading of Jerusalem, 
Tyre, Rome, or Athens, would wish to ascertain the situation of those re¬ 
nowned cities, and also to give locations to the mountains, rivers, and lakes 
described by ancient authors; as well as to understand the relative positions 
of the countries noted in early times, and the modern political divisions 
which occupy the same regions of the earth. To such individuals, a well- 
digested system of ancient geography, with maps specially compiled to 
illustrate the text, will furnish the desired information, as well as afford a 
fond of profitable and pleasing instruction. 

The treatise on Sacred Geography, being confined to a description of 
the Holy Land, and the other countries mentioned in the Old and New 
Testaments, is of less extent than the one which precedes it; in several 
instances, also, the descriptions of various countries given in the first division 
have been repeated in the last. This is rendered in some measure neces¬ 
sary, by the fact that the regions described by the Hebrew writers were 
viewed under different circumstances, and, for the most part, at an earlier 
period of time than by the Greeks and Romans; and that the names of 
countries, rivers, cities, &c. are seldom found to coincide, in the statement* 
of the Scriptural and those of classical authors. 

Although strictly geographical in its general plan, it has been thought 
not inappropriate to introduce into the work, occasionally, such historical 


vf 


PREFACE. 


incidents, connected with the subject-matter, as will serve to render the local 
details more interesting-; and it is believed that an examination of the various 
quotations from Holy Writ will suggest to pupils a frequent reference, for 
further elucidation, to that sacred volume. 

A correct knowledge of the region so long inhabited by the descendants 
of Abraham, and consecrated by the residence of the Saviour of men, is one 
of the most interesting objects of geographical research, and has excited 
the attention of various learned individuals in recent, as well as in former 
times; whilst a comparison of the ancient and modern condition of many 
countries in the East, exhibits such evidence of the truth of Divine revelation, 
as largely to strengthen the faith of the believer. It will be seen that the 
present state of Nineveh, Babylon, and Thebes, as well as of other capitals 
once renowned, abundantly confirms the predictions of the ancient pro¬ 
phets of Israel. 

Perhaps few studies are so deserving of attention, as that of the geography, 
history, and constitution of the ancient and chosen people of God. From 
them have proceeded those purer ideas of religion, which distinguish the 
Christian above the other nations of the earth. The philosophers of Greece 
and Rome were the instructors of the ancient and modern world, in art, 
science, and literature; but the poets and prophets of Israel have enriched 
other nations with that knowledge which refers to God, salvation, and eter¬ 
nal life. 

The Maps of the Ancient Atlas have been carefully executed; and some 
pains have been taken in their compilation, after arranging the political 
divisions according to the most approved authorities, to avoid crowding 
them with the names of obscure and unimportant places, and rather to select 
the cities, towns, &c. distinguished as the scene of some well-known event, 
or the birth-place of some noted individual. Especially, have the words 
been engraved in a clear and distinct letter, so that they may be read with 
facility. 

Attached to the Atlas is an Index, alphabetically arranged, designed as a 
table of reference to the names in the Maps, by which pupils and others 
may find without difficulty on which Map the country, city, river, <Sec. 
sought for is represented, as also the corresponding modern name, where 
such exists. 

In the Chronological Table, placed at the end of the book, the dates of all 
the noted events, as well as of the births or deaths of distinguished characters 
mentioned in the text, may be found. To this Table various Questions are 
appended, calculated to impress more strongly upon the mind the more 
important dates and circumstances. It is not expected that teachers will 
require pupils to commit to memory all the dates, &,c. that are attached to 
this table; but whether it be adopted or not as a subject of regular study, it 
will probably, in either case, be found convenient and useful as a matter of 
reference. 


Philadelphia, January, 1844. 


CONTENTS 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Lmcb Paga 

1. Introduction—E arly Mari. 

time Discoveries, &e..... 9 

2. Figure of the Earth, &c... 11 

3. The World; Asia. 12 

4. Asia Minor. 14 

5. Mysia, Lydia, Caria. 15 

6. Greek Colonies—Eolia, Io¬ 

nia and Doris; Lycia ... 18 

7. Bithynia, Paphlagonia, Pon- 

tus. 20 

8. Pamphylia, Pisidia, Cili¬ 

cia . 22 

9. Phrygia, Cappadocia, Gala¬ 

tia . 24 

10. Syria. 26 

11. Palmyra; Cyprus. 29 

12. Phoenicia. 31 

13. Arabia.. 34 

14. Armenia, Mesopotamia ... 36 

15. Assyria. 38 

16. Babylonia or Chaldsea .... 40 

17. Calohis, Iberia, Albania, 

Media. 43 

18. Persia. 44 

9. Susiana, Carmania, Gedro- 

sia, Aria or Ariana. 51 

20. Parthia, Hyrcania, Bactria- 

na, Sogdiana. 46 

21. Asiatic Sarmatia, Scythia, 

Serica. 49 

22. India, Sinarum Regio .... 53 

23. Africa, Ethiopia. 56 

24. ^Egyptus or Egypt . 59 j 


Levon 

25. Egypt, continued . 

26. Mauritania, Numidia. 

27. Africa Proper, Libya. 

28. Libya Interior, .Ethiopia or 

Ethiopia Interior. 

29. Europe. 

30. Thrace or Thracia, Macedo¬ 

nia . 

31. Greece or Hellas. 

32. Greece, continued — Thes¬ 

saly . 

33. Epirus, Hellas or Greece 

Proper, Acarnania,Etolia, 
Locrii. 

34. Phocis, Doris, Boeotia, Me- 

garis. 

35. Attica. 

36. The Peloponnesus, Achaia, 


Sicyonia, Corinthia. 91 

37. Argolis, Laconia. 93 

38. Elis, Messenia, Arcadia... 96 

39. The Greek Islands. 98 

40. The Greek Islands, conti¬ 

nued . 101 

41. Italia or Italy, Gallia Cisal- 

pina. 103 

42. Gallia Cisalpina, continued . 106 

43. Italy Proper, Etruria, Um¬ 

bria, Sabini. 109 

44. Picenum, Samnium, Cam¬ 

pania . 119 

45. Latium. 114 

46. Latium, continued . 117 


cry 


|SSS ggJ SS g g ig£ 









































CONTENTS. 


nil 


Leuon Page 

47. Magna Groecia — Apulia, 

Calabria, Lucania, Brut- 
tia. 123 

48. Ita.ian Islands. 120 

49. Hispania. 125 

50. Gaul or Gallia. 128 

51. British Islands. 130 

52. Caledonia, Hibernia. 133 

53. Scandinavia, Germa¬ 

nia. 135 


Lesson hfl 

54. Helvetia, Vindelicia, Rh©- 

tia, Noricum, Pannonia, 
Ulyricum or Illyria.138 

55. Moesia, Dacia, Sarmatia, 
Hyperborean Regions .... 140 

56. The Barbarous Nations 

which destroyed the Ro¬ 
man Empire. 143 

57. The Barbarous Nations con¬ 

tinued . 145 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


(mmo Page 

1 Introduction . 147 

2 Settlement of the Earth after 

the Flood. 149 


3 Origin of the Israelites, «fec. 151 

4. Journeyings of the Israelites 

through the Wilderness.. 154 

5. The Land of Canaan, &c. . 156 

6. Kingdoms of Israel & Judah 158 

7. Physical Geography of Pa¬ 

lestine, Position, Extent, 


Mountains . 161 

8. Physical Geography of Pa¬ 

lestine, continued —Rivers, 
Lakes, &c. 164 

9. Physical Geography of Pa¬ 

lestine, continued —Plains 
and Valleys, Climate, 

Agriculture, &c. 167 

10. The Twelve Tribes, with the 
Towns noted in Old Tes¬ 
tament times. 169 

1. The Twelve Tribes, conti¬ 
nued . 172 

12. The Tribe of Judah, with 

the Towns noted in Old 
Testament times. 174 

13. Galilee and Samaria, with 


Ltssoo 

the Towns noted in New 
Testament times. 176 

14. Judea and Peraea, with the 

Towns noted in New Tes¬ 
tament Times. 178 

15. Land of the Philistines, 

Tyre and Sidon, Syria, 
Padan Aram. 181 

16. Arabia, including Amalek, 

Ammon, Moab, Edom, Mi- 
dian, the Land of Ur, &c.. 184 

17. Egypt, Ethiopia, &c.187 

18. The East, Shinar or Baby¬ 

lon, Asshur or Assyria... 190 

19. Elam, Media, Tarshish and 

Ophir, &c. 192 

20. Asia, the Seven Churches, 

&c. 195 

21. Greece, Italy, &c.. 197 

22. Geography illustrating our 

Saviour’s Ministry. 200 

33. Geography illustrating our 
Saviour’s Ministry, con¬ 
tinued . 202 

24. Geography illustrating the 
First Settlement of the 
Church.204 


Chronology . 207 

Chronological Tablb ...208 



































ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY 


r NTRODUCTION. 

EARLY MARITIME DISCOVERIES, &c. 

1. Ancient Geography is a description of the earth and ’ta 
inhabitants, extending from the time of the earliest credible 
accounts that have reached us, to the downfall of the Roman Em¬ 
pire. It comprises Classical and Sacred Geography. The former 
is derived from the writings of the Greeks and Romans, or Clas¬ 
sical authors; and the latter from the scriptures of the Old and 
New Testaments. 

2. The most noted of the ancient nations with whose writings 
the moderns are acquainted, are the Jews, the Greeks, and the 
Romans; these nations flourished at different periods of time, and 
their knowledge of the earth was various. 

3. The early Jews or Israelites knew little beyond the land of 
Egypt, and the regions that lie between the Mediterranean Sea 
and the banks of the Euphrates. The Phoenicians or Tyrians 
and Sidonians, from the extent of their voyages, excelled the Jews 
in their knowledge of the earth, and they were the first navigators 
who carried maritime discovery to any considerable extent. 

4. As early as the year 1000 B.C. these people had explored 
the whole of the Mediterranean, as well as the Black Sea, and 
had settled colonies on their shores; afterwards they sailed through 
the straits of Hercules, and extended their voyages along the west¬ 
ern coast of both Europe and Africa; and a party of them in the 
service of Pharaoh-Necho,king of Egypt, is said to have circum¬ 
navigated the last-mentioned division of the earth. 

5. The Carthaginians, a people descended from the Phoenicians, 
were also famous for maritime enterprise. Hanno, one of their 
naval commanders, establisned colonies on the west coast of Africa 
beyond the pillars of Hercules, and sailed as far south, it is 


Question 1. What is ancient geography? What does it comprise,<fcc. 1 
2. What is said of the most noted ancient nations ? 3. Of the early Jews 1 

The Phoenicians, &c. ? 4. What is related of these people ? 5. Of the 

(9) 




IU 


INTRODUCTION- 


thought, as the coast of Guinea.* Hamil'co, another Carthaginian, 
sailed northward to Britain. 

6. By the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Greeks 
became familiar with the northern parts of India, and the adjacent 
regions; and Near'chus,the admiral of Alexander, by his voyage 
from the river Indus to the Euphrates, first opened to the view of 
his countrymen the shores of the Indian Ocean. 

7. Nearly about the same time, Pyth'eas, a Massilian Greek 
sailed from Ga'des to Thu'le, the most northern country known to 
the ancients, and supposed to have been either Iceland or Norway. 
The Ru'beas promontory, the farthest point he reached, is probably 
the North Cape of Europe. The Thu'le of the Romans, the Main¬ 
land of Shetland, was not discovered until long after Pyth'eas, by 
Agric'ola, a Roman governor of Britain. 

8 The Romans, during the progress of their conquests, explored 
the various countries subjected to their power; and in the time of 
Caesar, a general survey of the Empire was commenced, which 
required twenty-five years for its completion. This great work, 
though not executed with the precision of modem science, was the 
most extensive of the kind ever undertaken, and furnished to the 
geographers of that time, a mass of information far exceeding that 
of any previous period. 

9. The oldest geographical records are in the Bible ; these are 
confined principally to a description of the land of Israel, and the 
adjacent regions, and to the divisions of Canaan among the twelve 
tribes. Next in antiquity, are the Greek poems of Homer and 
Hes'iod, the works of Herod'otus, Aristotle, Eratos'thenes, Strabo, 
and some others. 

10. The earliest regular geographies extant, are those of Strabo 
and Pomponius Mela; the former is written in Greek, and the 
other in Latin. These works were succeeded by that of Ptolemy 
of Alexandria, the most extensive geography of ancient limes, 
and also the first in which places are described according to their 
latitude and longitude. This treatise, until the time of Columbus, 
a period of more than 1300 years, was considered the highest 
authority in all matters connected with the description of the earth 


Carthaginians? OfHanno? OfHamilco? 6. With what did the Greek 
become acquainted by the conquests of Alexander ? What is said of Near- 
chus ? 7. Of Pytheas ? 8. Of the Romans ? What occurred in the time 

of Csesar ? 9. What is said of the oldest geographical records ? The next 
in antiquity? 10. The earliest regular geographies? What succeeded 
these works ? How long was it considered the highest authority ? 

* The extent of Hanno’s voyage has been the subject of much learned 
discussion: its terminating point, according to the opinion of three different 
individuals, may be seen in Map No. 1. 




INTRODUCTION. 


11 


FIGURE OF THE EARTH, &c. 

1. The ancients were, for the most part, ignorant of the real 
figure of the earth; and supposed it to be a vast plain, surrounded 
by an ocean of unknown extent. Beneath the earth were the fabled 
regions of Elysium or Paradise, and Tar'tarus, or the place of 
punishment for the wicked. Above the whole, rose the great arch 
of the heavens, which was supposed to rest on the summits of the 
highest mountains. 

2. The Sun, Moon, and Stars, were imagined to rise from, and 
set beneath, the waves of the Sea; and it was said that those who 
lived in the remote west, could hear at evening, the noise made 
by the Sun dipping into the ocean, as if that luminary had been 
a mass of heated metal. 

3. Being ignorant of America, as well as of one half the east¬ 
ern continent, the ancients generally imagined the world to be 
smaller than it really is; a few geographers however, aware 
that the countries then known covered but a small part of the 
earth’s surface, supposed that other regions might exist, separated 
from the rest by a great extent of ocean. 

4. Accordingly several authors, both Greek and Roman, have 
described a large island called Atlantis, which lay far to the west 
in the Atlantic Ocean. Beyond it was a continent of still greater 
extent. This island was said to have been at length submerged in 
the sea, and nothing further was ever known of it, or the adjacent 
region. From this account it is supposed that the ancients had 
some knowledge of the western continent, and the subject has 
given rise to various learned discussions. 

5. The maps of the ancients are very erroneous in their repre¬ 
sentations, even of several well-known countries: thus, Ptolemy 
exhibits Italy as lyin^ for the most part due east and west, and the 
Pyrenees as extending nearly north and south. By some, the 
Caspian Sea was supposed to connect with the northern ocean, 
Britain to be in shape like a triangle, and Sweden and Norway to 
be a group of islands. 

6. For want of a proper mode of making astronomical observe 
dons, the latitudes and longitudes of places calculated in ancient 
imes, were generally inaccurate. Ptolemy in his maps exhibits 

Q. 1. What did tho ancients suppose the earth to be? What regions 
were beneath the earth ? What rose above the whole ? 2. What is said of 

the Sun, Moon, and Stars ? 3. Of what^vere the ancients ignorant? What 
did they imagine the world to be ? What did some geographers conceive? 
What have some authors described ? 5. What is said of the maps of the 

ancients ? 6. Of their latitudes and longitudes 7 What errors do Ptolo 



12 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


an erroi of 15° of longitude between Marseilles and Antioch; 
and 40° in placing the mouths of the Ganges; and in many other 
instances his east and west distances are exaggerated 

7. The maps now called ancient, are more strictly modem ; the 
natural features of the earth being represented on them, as known 
at the present day; to these, the ancient names have been affixed 
by D’Anville and other learned men; and in consequence they 
present an approximation much nearer the truth than those of the 
Greeks and Romans. 

8. In this process, it has been found difficult to determine always 
the precise parts of the globe referred to by ancient writers ; and 
hence there are various contested points in ancient geography, 
among which the position of the countries called Ser'ica, Sina'rum 
Regio, Agyzim'ba and Ultima Thu'le, in classical; and Tarshish 
and Opliir in sacred geography, are not yet ascertained. 

9. The ideas of the ancients respecting the inhabitants of distant 
regions were often fanciful and erroneous; among such were the 
fables related of the Pygmies, a race of diminutive men, who were 
supposed to reside in various remote parts of the earth; and also 
of the Blemmyes, a people without heads, and whose eyes and 
mouths were in their breasts. 

10. Other fabulous races were, the Cimmerians, who were 
said to live in utter darkness; the Cyclops, with but one eye, 
which was placed in the middle of their foreheads; the Cynoce- 
phali, a nation with heads resembling those of dogs; the Hyper¬ 
boreans, who were exempt from disease, decay, and even death; 
and the Amazons, a nation of female warriors, who’destroyed their 
male, but preserved alive their female children. 

THE WORLD, ETC. 

1. The world, as known in the days of Ptolemy, extended from 
the Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa, to the shores of Cochin 
China. On the west, it stretched from the banks of the Niger 
northward to Sweden and Norway; and on the east, from the In 
dian Ocean northward to the Altay mountains. 

2. This area was included within a space averaging 120° of lor*> 
gitude, and 45° of Latitude, being about one half the land surface 

my’e maps exhibit? 7. What is said of the maps now called ancient? 8. 
What is found difficult to determine ? Name the contested points. 9. Rei 
late the ideas of the ancients respecting the inhabitants of distant regions. 
What other fabulous races were there ? 

Q. 1. Describe the world as known in the days of Ptolemy. 2. What 
did this area comprise ? 3. What is said of the three great division* ? 



ASIA. 


13 


of the eastern continent, and extending around the globe a third 
pan of its circumference. 

3. As early as the time of Herod'otus, the three great divisions 
of Europe, Asia, and Africa or Libya, were recognised, and with 
nearly the present lines of separation. The river Nile was for a 
time considered to divide Asia from Africa, but at length the bound¬ 
ary of the Red Sea and the Isthmus of Suez was adopted. 


ASIA. 

4. The Greeks divided Asia into Upper and Lower Asia: the 
latter comprised only that part of Asia Minor which lay westward 
of the river Halys. The Romans separated it into Hither Asia, 
or Asia this side the Taurus; and Farther Asia, or Asia beyond the 
Taurus. Hither Asia was also called Asia Proconsula'ris, because 
it was governed by a Proconsul. 

5. The name of Asia was first, applied to a small district in Lydia, 
on the coast of the iEge'an Sea; and was derived, according to the 
Lydians, from Asius, one of their early kings; but, according to 
the Greeks, from Asia, one of the Ocean'ides, or marine goddesses. 

6. The JEolians, Ionians, and Dorians, settled at an early period 
m the Lydian districts of Asia; and being said by their Greek 
countrymen to have emigrated to Asia, the name was in time 
gradually extended to the whole region now bearing that name. 

7. Asic^ south of the great central ridge of mountains, has been from re 
mote times a populous region. It was the first seat of civilization, and of 
those great monarchies, which, absorbing into one vast empire a number of 
contiguous states, openly aimed at universal dominion. Of these empires, thd 
Assyrian was the earliest and most enduring. It was established on the 
banks of the Euphrates, 4000 years ago; and was succeeded by the Babylo¬ 
nian, the Persian, and the Parthian empires; and in subsequent times, bji 
those of the Caliphs, of Gengis Khan, and of Tamerlane. 

8. The ancients were but partially acquainted with Asia. They were 
ignorant of at least one-half of it, as known at present. The Greeks had 
a knowledge of its western and central districts, as far as the Indus, and 
probably for some distance beyond that river. Afterwards, the Romans be 
came familiar, to some extent, with Hindoo^tan, Thibet, and Anam; and they 
were acquainted, by report, with Ser'ica and the country of the Sin®, region* 
which they imagined were placed q.t the farthest extremity of the earth. 

9. The Euphrates and Tigris, the Rha, the Oxus, the Iaxar'tes, the Indus, 
the Ganges, and the great streams of India, beyond the latter river, as well 
as the Bautisus,or Hoang Ho of China, were probably known to Ptolemy; bui 
of the remaining rivers of Asia he was no doubt wholly ignorant. 

4. How did the Greeks divide Asia? The Romans? 5. What is 
‘ said of the name of Asia ? 6. The iEolians, &c. ? 7. What is said of 

Asia south of the central ridge of mountains ? Of the Assyrian Empire ? 
The other empires ? 8. What degree of knowledge did the ancients pos- 

2 



M 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


IQ, The. Taurus, Cau'casus, Oron'tes, Paropami'sus, Ima'us, Emo'di, Hy. 
yerbfcrean or Riphean, and Ottorocorras, were the chief Asiatic ranges of 
mountains known in ancient times ; the Emo'di, now the Himmaleh moun* 
tains, are the highest on the globe, but the Greek and Roman geographer* 
were ignorant of that fact. 

11. The chief ancient divisions of Asia were, Asia Minor, Syria, Arabia, 
Armenia, Assyria, Babylonia, Media, Persia, Aria, Gedrosia, Scvthia, India, 
Ber'ica, and Sina'rum Re'gio, or country of the Since. 

Map JVo. 1.—Point out the divisions mentioned in the text. The rivera. 
Their respective lengths. The mountains. Their heights. TheiEge'an 
Sea. Euxine Sea. Palus or Lake Mceotis. Erythrean Sea. Gulf of the 
Ganges. Magnum Sinus or Great Bay. Permulicus Gulf. Taprobana 
Island. Iabadii Island. Maniolce Islands. Bonce Fortunae Islands. Daden 
Island. Angustice Dirae. Avalites Gulf. What are the modern names of 
all the foregoing rivers, mountains, &c. ?* 

ASIA MINOR. 

1. Asia Minor is a large peninsula, which forms the most 
western division of Asia. It comprises that portion of the conti¬ 
nent that is bounded on the north, south, and west by the Euxine, 
Mediterranean and JEge'an Seas, and on the east by the Euphrates 
river. Anato'lia, or Nato'lia, which signifies the East, is the mo¬ 
dern name of Asia Minor. 

2. The term Asia Minor was not adopted until about the com¬ 
mencement of the fourth century of our era, and was at first used 
to designate the western districts only; but in process of time it 
came to be applied to the whole region now known by that name. 

3. Few countries present such a diversity of soil and climate. The western 
provinces were remarkable for their genial temperature and their fertility 
while the mountainous districts were in general sterile and but thinly inhabit¬ 
ed, and sorrje parts of Lydia, Phrygia,and Galatia, were almost deserted, from 
the barrenness of the soil, which bore numerous traces of volcanic action. 

4. The inhabitants formed many different nations, whose bound¬ 
aries and divisions varied with their political revolutions. About 700 
B. C. Crcesus, the celebrated Lydian king, conquered a large portion 
of Asia Minor; and it afterwards formed successively an important 
division of the empires of Cyrus, of Alexander, and of Rome. Dui* 
ing the middle ages it belonged to the Saracens, afterwards to the 
Turks, and for several centuries past has formed the finest portion 
of their empire. 

sess of Asia 7 The Greeks ? The Romans 7 9. Mention the rivers. The 
mountains. 10. The chief ancient divisions. 

Questions. —1. Describe Asia Minor. What did it comprise ? 2. When 
was the term adopted, &c. ? 3. What is said of the soil and climate 7 
Mountainous districts, &c. ? 4. Of the inhabitants ? Croesus, &c. ? Of 

•The pupil will consult the Index of coriesponding ancient and modern names. 







ASIA MINOR. 


15 


5. Civilization commenced at an early age in Asia Minor; its 
commerce was extensive and flourishing; it contained many opu¬ 
lent cities, whose temples, palaces, and other public buildings, 
were among the most splendid ever reared. 

6. At an early period the Phoenicians founded colonies on the southern 
shores of this region, while in a later age the Greeks established themselves 
on the coasts of the Alge'an Sea. The language and literature of the latter 
were extensively cultivated, and the fame of their philosophers, poets, and 
artists, has descended to our own times. 

7. The principal divisions were, Mys'ia, Lyd'ia and Ca'ria, in the 
west; Bithyn'ia, Paphlagonia and Pon'tus, in the north ; Lyc'ia, Pi- 
sid'ia and Pamphyl'ia, and Cilic'ia, in the south ; and Phryg'ia, Go- 
la'tia and Cappado'cia, in the interior. 

8. The chief mountains were the Tau'rus and Anti-Tau'rus, which retain 
with us their ancient names; Mount Cragus was the residence of the fabled 
chimera; Ida was noted as the mountain where Paris adjudged to Venus 
the prize of beauty ; Sip'ylus as the residence of Ni'obe; Tmo'lus was famous 
for its vineyards; and Cyto'rus for its boxwood. Several mountains here, 
besides others in Greece and Cyprus, bore the name of Olympus. 

9. The largest rivers were the Ha'lys, the Sanga'rius and the Moean'der; 
the latter was remarkable for its windings, hence the word meander. The 
Hermus, and its tributary the Pacto'lus, were famous for the gold contained 
in their sands ; the Grani'cus, the Eurym'edon and the Scy'lax, for the battles 
fought on their banks; and the Thermo'don as the stream jm which the 
warlike Amazons once resided. Phryg'ia and Pisid'ia contained a number of 
small salt lakes, which still exist and furnish large quantities of salt. 

10. The islands which lie along the western coast, were settled at an 
early period by emigrants from Greece, and are usually described with that 
country. The largest were Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Cos, and Rhodes. In the 
prosperous times of Greece, these islands were populous, well cultivated, 
and noted for their commerce. 


Map No. 2.—What sea bounds Asia Minor on the north ? E. On the 
south? M. On the west? iE. What rivers on the east? E. O. What 
straits and sea separate it from Thrace ? H. B. P. What group of island# 
lie on the south-west? S. What island lies south? C. Which promontory 
or cape extends farthest north ? A. Which farthest south ? A. Farthest 
west ? L. Point out the Taurus and the other mountai ns mentioned in the text. 
The rivers. The islands. What countries lie east and south-east of Asia 
Minor? A. M. S. Mention the heights of mountains. Lengths of rivers, &c. 

MYS'IA. 

1. Mys'ia. was the westernmost division of Asia Minor. The 
country on the Propontis was once a part of Phrygia, and was 

what Empires did it afterwards form a division ? 5. What is said of civili¬ 
zation? Commerce? Of the Phoenicians and Greeks ? 7. Name the prin¬ 

cipal divisions. Name the chief mountains. The largest rivers. What 
did Phrygia and Pisidia contain ? 10. What is said of the islands ? 

/ 

/ 


V 





CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


called Phrygia Minor. At an early period the Mys'ians were a 
brave and warlike people; but they became in time so degenerate 
that “ Mysorum Ultimus” was a term proverbially used to denote a 
cowardly and mean-spirited person. The kingdom of Tro'as, or 
Troy, and part of the Greek colony of iEolia. were included in 
Mys'ia. 

2. Troy, or Il'ium, was the principal city of Tro'as. During the 
eign of Priam, its last king, a Greek army of 100,000 men under 
Agamemnon, captured and destroyed it after a siege of ten years, 
1184, B.C. This siege, one of the most memorable of ancienl 
times, has been immortalized both by Homer and Yirgii. 



Achilles dragging the dead body of Hector around the walls of Troy 

3. During its progress, Achilles, the bravest of the Greeks, slew Hector, a 
noted Trojan chief, in single combat. The dead body of the latter was 
barbarously dragged by the victor around the walls of the city. Troy stood 
between the rivers Sim'ois and Scaman'der, not far from their junction; in 
the vicinity were Mount Ida and the Sigae'um Promontory or Cape. Near the 
latter many contests took place between the Greeks and Trojans. Subse¬ 
quently New Il'ium was built nearer the sea, but it never rose to distinction 

4. In the southern part of Mys'ia was the city of Per'garnus, once the 
capital of a kingdom of the same name. It was celebrated for its great 
library, and as the birth-place of Galen, the noted physician. Aby'dos was 
famous for the bridge of boats built by Xerxes across the Hellespont; it 
was the residence of Leander, the lover of Hero, who lived in Sestos, on th« 
opposite shore. The former often swam the Hellespont to visit his mis 
tress, and returned the same night. 

5. Thebe, or Thebes, Lamp'sacus, Miletop'ohs and Cyz'icus, were all places 
of note. The latter sustained a memorable siege by Mithrida'tes, which was 
at last raised by Lucullus. In the vicinity was the river Grani'cus, where 


Q. 1. What was Mysia ? What is said of the country on the Propontis ? 
Of the Mysians ? What were included in Mysia ? 2. What is said of 

Troy ? 3. What occurred during the siege ? Describe the situation of 

Troy, &c.? 4. What is said of Pergamus ? Abydos? 5. Thebes? Lamp 









ASIA MINOR. 


17 


Alexander u\e Great gained his first victory over the Persians. Dar'danus 
gave the modern name Dardanelles to the Hellespont; and from the celebrated 
marble of the island Proconnesus, Mar'mora, the modern name of the Propontis 
is derived. Adramyttium, Assos, and Alexandria Troas, are mentioned in 
the Acts of the Apostles; the last is there termed Troas only. 

LYDIA. 

6. Lydia, called more anciently Mseonia, ^ay south of Mys'ia* 

was once an important kingdom, and its power under Crcesus, 

the proverbially rich king, extended over more than half of Asia 
Minor. His court was an asylum of learning; and iEsop among 
others lived under his patronage. 

7. The Lydians were the first people who coined money; they 
were at one time the most wealthy, and glso became the most 
luxurious and effeminate nation in Asia. The Greek colony of 
Ionia was included partly in Lydia, and partly in Caria. 

8. Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia, was famous for the numerous 
sieges it sustained, during one of which it was taken by Cyrus. This cky, 
Thyali'ra, and Philadelphia, were seats of three of the seven churches 
of Asia. Magnesia ad Sip'ylum, at the foot of Mount Sip'ylus, was noted for 
the defeat of Anti'ochus the Great by Scipio. Metropolis and Arom'ata were 
towns in Lydia. At Magnesia, on the Meander, hence called Magnesia ad 
Meandrum, Themis'tocles died. At Thymbra, Crcesus was defeated by 
Cyrus. 

CARIA. 

9. Caria lay southward of Lydia; it was a fruitful country, 
and abounded particularly in figs. The inhabitants were consi¬ 
dered barbarous and despicable by the Greeks, and the name of 
Carian was synonymous with that of slave. Doris and part of 
Ionia were included in Caria. 



Boodroom. 


10. Halicarnas'sus was the most important city in Caria, and was lor a 
time at the head of the Dorian league. It was famous for the splendid 
mausoleum built by Artemis'ia, queen of Caria, for her husband Mauso'lus, 
from which all splendid tombs were afterwards called Mausole'a. It was 
accounted one of the seven wonders of the world. Here Herodotus, Diony- 

sacus, &c. ? Dardamus, &c. ? Adramyttium ? 6. Describe Lydia. What 
is said of the Lydians? 7. Sardis and the other cities? 8. Describe Caria. 
The inhabitants. 10 What is said of the Halicarnassus? Of the towns? 

2* B 












19 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 




sius llalicarnas’sus, and Heraclitus, were born. Boodroom, a small Turkish 
town, stands on the site of Halicarnas'sus; various ruins of the ancient city 
are still to be seen. Antioch, Aphrodis'ias, Mylas'sa, Stratonice'a and Imbrus 
were Carian towns. 


Map No. 2. —What strait separates Mysia from Thrace ? H. What sea 
hes on the north? P. What rivers are in Mysia? C. G. M. H. What 
mountains? I. What islands lie west? L. T. When did the siege of 
Troy occur? Of Cyzicus ? The battle on the Granicus? What rive 
divides Lydia and Caria? M. What other rivers are in Lydia? H. P. C 
What mountains? S. T. M. What islands lie on the coast? P C. I. S. 
What islands lie west and south of Caria ? P. C. A. A. C. N. C. R. 

Map No. 3.— Point out Sigseum Promontory or Cape. Troy. New 
Ilium. The Scamander River. The Simois River. Mount Ida. Mount 
Gargara. Tenedus Island. 


GREEK COLONIES. 

m 

1. ^Eolia, Ionia and Dons were Greek colonies in Mysia, Lydia 

and Caria, whose settlement was commenced about 60 years after 
the destruction of Troy. The inhabitants became in time, espe¬ 
cially the Ionians, distinguished for elegance of taste, and love of 
the arts and sciences, and were the teachers and examples of the 
European Greeks. # 

2. Homer, the greatest of poets, was an Ionian; he was born, according 
to tradition, near Smyrna; six other cities, however, contested with that 
place the honour of having given him birth. Apel'les and Parrha'sius, cele 
brated painters; Tha'les and Pythag'oras, famous philosophers; and I7ip 
poc'rates, a noted physician, were also Ionians. 

iEOLIA. 

3. iEolia was the earliest colony; it formed a confederation at 
first of twelve cities; but, Smyrna having been treacherously 
wrested from it by the Ionians, the number was in the time of 
Herod'otus reduced co eleven. 

4. Mityle'ne, m uesbos, was the head of the confederacy; the latter was 
one of the finest islands in the iEge'an Sea; it was famous for its wine and 
this auty of its women; it was also the birth-place of Sappho and Pit'tacu* 
Cumaj, Pit'ane, Phocae'a and Eke'a, were noted iEolian cities on the conti 
cent. 


IONIA. 

5. Ionia comprised twelve confederate cities, of which Ephesus 
Smyrna and Mile'tus, were the most renowned. The first con- 


Q. 1. What is said of iEolia, Ionia, and Doris ? Of their settlement 1 
What did the inhabitants become? 2. What is said of Homer? Apelles. 
&c. ? 3. Of iEolia ? 4, Mitylene and other towns ? 5. Of Ionia ? 6 




ASIA MINOR. 


19 


tained the celebrated temple of Diana, which occupied 200 years 
in building. 



Supposed site of Miletus. 


6. Smyrna was one of the richest cities of Asia Minor, and is the only 
one of them that is now flourishing and important. Mile'tus was reckoned 
next to Tyre and Carthage for its extensive commerce, and numerous colo¬ 
nies, which amounted, according to some, to 80 in number. There Tha'les, 
Anaximan'der and Cadmus, the historian, were born. The ruin of this 
splendid city is now so complete, that its very site can hardly be recognised. 

7. Er'ythrse was the residence of one of the Sibyls, Clazom'ene was the 
birth-place of Anaxag'oras, Samos of Pythag'oras, and Te'os of Anac'reon. 
Col'ophon was famous for the valour of its cavalry, which usually decided the- 
battle in favour of the side on which it fought; hence the proverb “ Colo 
phonem addere,” to put a finish to anything. At the foot of Mount Myc'ale, 
a great victory was gained by the Greeks over the Persians, on the same 
day that the army of Xerxes was defeated at Platae'a in Boeo'tia. 

DORIS. 

8. The Dorian confederacy consisted at first of six, and after 
wards (Halicarnassus having been excluded) of five cities, and was 
therefore afterwards called the Pentap'olis, or the five cities. The 
confederate cities were Cnidus, Cos,Cami'ra, Ial'ysus and Lindus. 
The three last were on the Island of Rhodes. 

.9. Cnidus contained a temple of the Cnidian Venus, which was famous 
for a beautiful marble statue of the go'ddess by Praxit'eles. It was the birth¬ 
place of Eudox'us and Agathar'cides, Theopompus and some other noted 
men. Rhodes, the capital of the island of Rhodes, was renowned for its 
commerce, and also for the brazen statue of Apollo, called the Colossus, 
which was 100 feet high, and bestrode the entrance of the harbour. The 
republic of Rhodes was in early times an important naval power, and planted 
colonies in Sicily, Italy and Spain. Cos, on the island of the same name, 
ontaincd a noted temple dedicated to Esculapius. Apel'les and Hippocrates 
ere natives of this island. 

L YCI A. 

10. Lycia took its name from Lycus, the son of Pandion, who 
settled there. It was the smallest province of Asia Minor; but it 
was at the same time, in proportion to its extent, one of the richest and 


Smyrna, <fcc. ? 7. Erythraj, &c. ? 8. Describe Doris. Mention the con 

tVera’* °ities. 9. What is said of Cnidus < Who were natives iK'scrdu 








20 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


mopt populous. It was noted for its fine cedar trees, which 
almost equalled those of Lebanon. 

11. The inhabitants were skilful archers, and were at one time 
distinguished for their sobriety and love of justice; but, about the 
end of the Roman Republic, many individuals became pirates. 
On the coast is Mount Climax, or the ladder; it is so steep to¬ 
wards the sea, that the soldiers of Alexander, in passing it, in their 
march into Pamphylia, waded more than half a day waist-deep 
in water. 

12. Xanthus is distinguished for its obstinate resistance against Brutus; 
the latter set fire to the city; but the inhabitants, rather than submit to the 
Romans, rushed into the flames, and only 150 were rescued. Pat'ara was 
famous for its oracle; here Apollo is said to have resided one-half the year, 
and the other half at Delphi. Telmis'sus was noted for its soothsayers. 
Myra, Lim'yra and Phase'lis’were important towns. The latter was at one 
time a haunt of pirates; it was taken by Servilius Isauricus 


Map No. 2.—Point out the jEolian towns mentioned in tne text. The 
Ionian. The Dorian. On what river is Elaea ? C. Smyrna ? M. Ephesus ? 
C. Near what river is Mycale Mountain ? M. In what year was the battle 
fought there ? What mountains divide Lycia and Pamphylia ? S. What 
mountains in the south-east ? C. In the south-west ? C. In the interior ? A 
What islands near the coast ? C. C. What Cape ? S. What Gulf? G. 

BITHYN'IA. 

1. Bithyn'ia was an extensive province which lay on the Pro¬ 
pontis and the Euxine sea. It was settled at an early period by 
two Thracian tribes, the Thyni and the Bithy'ni. The kingdom 
which they established underwent various changes of fortune, and 
was at length bequeathed by Nicomedius, its last king, to the 
Romans, B. C. 75. 

2. Nicome'dia, once the capital of Bithyn'ia, was a large and handsome 
city ; it was for a time the residence of the Roman emperors Diocletian and 
Constantine. Nicaea, or Nice, once also the capital of Bithyn'ia, was noted 
as the seat of the first general council of the church, held A. D. 325, which 
drew up the Nicene Creed. It was the birth-place of Hippar'chus tl« 
astronomer. 

3 Ileracle'a, called Heracle'a Pon'tica, from its situation on the Pon. 
tus Euxi'nus was a Greek colony, famous for its ships, its libraries ai d its 
rich temples. Cha„ce'don was called, by way of derision, the city of the 


Rhodes. The Republic, &c. 10. Describe Lycia. 11. What were the 

Inhabitants, &c. ? What is said of Mount Climax ? 12. For what is Xan. 

*k.,c HWinguished? Mention the other towns. 

< t Lfcjsorilw Bithyma. Its settlements. The kingdom, tec. 

« What is said Aitomedia 1 Nicoea? 3. Heraclea T 4 Pruea Li- 




ASIA MINOR. 


21 


blind, because its founders neglected the more advantageous situation of By¬ 
zantium, on the opposite shore : here a general council of the church was 
held. 

4. At Prusa ad Olympum, so called because it stood at the the base of 
Mount Olympus, Hannibal, the celebrated Carthaginian general, poisoned 
himself to avoid falling into the hands of the Romans ; and at Libys'sa he 
was buried. At Chrysop'olis, the Emperor Licin'ius was finally defeated by 
Constantine the Great, in a naval engagement. Tium, Bithynium, Prusa ad 
Hyp'pium, As'tacus, Drep'anum, Cius, and Apame'a were important towns. 

PAP HLACONIA. 

5. Paphlagonia, the most northern division of Asia Minor, was 
noted for the numbers of its horses and cattle; the mules were 
famous as early as the days of Homer, and the sheep furnished 
wool of the finest quality. Under the Byzantine emperors, the 
eastern parts of this region and the western of Pontus were 
formed into a district called Hel'eno-Pontus, in honour of the 
mother of the Emperor Constantine. 

6. Sino'pe, originally a Milesian colony, was an important city, with an 
extensive commerce. It possessed at one time a considerable territory, and 
planted a number of colonies along the coast. The Tunny-fisheries in the 
vicinity afforded a lucrative branch of trade. Sino'pe was the birth-place 
of Mithrida'tes the Great, and also of Diog'enes, the Cynic philosopher. 

7. Pompeiop'olis was founded by Pompey in honour of a victory gained 
over Mithridates the Great. At Armene part of the Ten Thousand landed, on 
their voyage from Coty'ora. The inhabitants of this place are said to have 
built a wall around their city to keep out the cold, which circumstance gave 
rise to a proverb used to denote egregious folly. Amas'tris, Cyto'rum and Ti- 
me'na were towns of note on the coast. Antoniop'olis and Sora were in the 
interior. 

PONTUS. 

8. Pontus, so named because it lay on the Pontus Euxi'nus, or 
Euxine Sea, was once a part of Cappadocia; but became after¬ 
wards a separate kingdom, which existed for 200 years. Under 
Mithridates VI., sumamed the Great, Pontus attained power and 
distinction, and carried on a long and fierce struggle with the 
Romans, but was at last annexed to their empire. 

9. The eastern districts were barren and rugged, but the western were 
rich and fruitful. The latter abounded in produce of every kind, and 
furnished the finest flocks and herds. Mines of iron and salt were nume*. 
ous. Pontus comprised three provinces, viz., Pontus Galat'icus, Pontus Pole* 
moni'acus, and Pontus Cappadocius. 

10. The chief cities were Amase'a, the birth-place of Strabo, the Greek 
geographer; Coma'na Pon'tica, which contained the celebrated temples of 

byssa ? Chrysopolis ? The other towns ? 5. Describe Paphlagoni a 

What district was formed under the Byzantine Emperors ? 6. What is said 

of Sinope ? 7. Pompeiopolis ? Armene ? The other towns ? 8. What is 

Pontus? What was it once ? What did Pontus attain undei Mithridates 
VI. ? 9. What is said of the eastern and western districts ? iO. Describe 



22 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


belle 'na and Venus; Themiscy'ra, fabled as the residence at one time of the 
Amaze ns; Cer'asus, from whence the cherry was first taken to Rome, and 
thence propagated over Europe; Trape'zus, the first friendly city reached 
by the Ten Thousand on their famous retreat; and Coty'ora, where part of 
their number embarked for Arme'ne. Not far from Trape'zus is Mount 
Teches, from the summit of which they first saw the Euxine Sea. 

11. AtZe'la, Lucullus gained a victory over Mithridates; afterwards Caesar 
gained one over Phar'naces, which he announced to the Roman senate in hie 
celebrated letter containing only three words— Veni, Vidi , Vici ; I came , I sat*, 
l conquered. Ami'sus, Polemo'nium, Trip'olis, (En'oe, Eupato'ria, Phazo'mon, 
Gaziu'ra, Eer'isa and Neo-Caesare'a were towns in Pontus. 

Map No. 2.—What strait separates Bithynia and Thrace? T. What 
i,vers and mountains separate Bithynia from Paphlagonia? P. O. What 
mountains from Galatia ? O. What islands lie on the coast? C. T. T. What 
lakes in the interior ? A.A. W r hat rivers flow into the Euxine Sea? S.H.B.P. 
What mountains lie between Paphlagonia and Galatia? O. When did Pom- 
pey gain his victory over Mithridates ? What river separates Paphlagonia 
from Pontus ? H. What rivers in Pontus flow into the Euxine Sea ? I. T. 
S. C. T. O. Point out the towns mentioned in the text that are in Bithynia, 
Paphlagonia, and Pontus. In what year were battles fought at Zela ? 

-8- 

PAMPHYLIA AND PISIDJA. 

1. Pamphylia and Pisidia were two districts, which were usually 
reckoned as one province; the first extended along the sea-coast, 
and the other lay in the interior; the latter was a rugged and 
elevated region, inhabited by a bold and spirited race of moun 
taineers, who resisted for centuries all attempts to subdue them. 

2. Perga was the chief town of Pamphylia; it contained a magnificent 
temple of Diana. Atta'lia, Olbia and Side were towns on the coast; Aspen- 
dus was on the Eurym'edon river; near this place the Persians were defeated 
by Cimon, the Athenian general, first in a naval engagement, and then on 
the land ; both in the same day. Selgae, Antiochi'a or Antioch in Pisidia, 
so called to distinguish it from other towns of the same name, and Baris, 
were irtmortant towns. 

3. Isaura Vetus was the ancient capital of Isauria, a district which lay 
partly in Pisidia and partly in Cilicia; the inhabitants were fierce and rapa¬ 
cious robbers. The Roman general Publius Servilius obtained the surname 
of Iaau'ricus for having conquered them during the Mithridatic war. 

4 A new city, Isaura Nova, was built after the destruction of the ancient 
•ns, a short distance from the site it occupied. It was here that the pirate 
Trebellidnus proclaimed himself Emperor of Rome, A. D. 264, but was 
soon afterwards defeated and slain. 


the chief cities. 11. What occurred at Zela, &c. ? Mention the other 
towns in Pontus. 

Q. 1. Describe Pamphylia and Pisidia. 2. What is said of Perga ? Attar 
lia ? What occurred on the river Eurymedon? 3. What is said of Isaura 
Vetus, &c,? Of Publius Servilius ? 4. Of the new city ? What occurred 






ASIA MINOR. 


83 


CILICIA. * 

5. Cilicia comprised two divisions, viz., Cilicia Trache'a, oi 
the rugged, from being mountainous; and Cilicia Campes'tris. 
the level. On the northern frontier of the latter there is a nar¬ 
row pass in the Taurus mountains, called by the ancients Pyla 
Ciliciae, through which the armies of Cyrus the younger and Alex¬ 
ander the Great marched in their progress to the East; the Pylas 
Syriae was a similar pass which led into Syria. 

6. The Cilicians were for a long period a maritime people; 
they furnished numerous fleets to the Persian monarchs, and many 
of them became noted pirates. In the latter days of the Roman 
Republic, these marauders kept the neighbouring coasts in a state 
of constant alarm; they were, however, finally subdued by 
Pompey. 



Cleopatra sailing on the Cydnus. 


7. Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, was the birth-place of St. Paul, and a 
seat of learning so famous as almost to rival Athens and Alexandria. The 
Cydnus river, which flows past the city, was noted for the coldness of its 
waters; it was therefore nearly fatal to Alexander on his bathing in it when 
in a state of perspiration. On this stream, Cleopa'tra made the celebrated 
voyage when on her way to attend the summons of Antony, which is so 
gorgeously described by authors. 

8. At Issus, Alexander defeated Dari'us, and gained his second great vic¬ 
tory over the Persians; more than five centuries afterwards, this place was 
again the scene of a fierce contest, which occurred between the rival Roman 
Emperors, Seve'rus and Niger. At Anchi'ale, Sardanapa'lus, the last of the 
Assyrian Kings, is supposed to have been interred. This monarch is said 
to have built Anchi'ale and Tarsus in one day. Cor'ycus was noted for it* 
superior saffron. 

there ? 5. Describe Cilicia. Its divisions. The Pylae Cilicia, &c. 6. What 
were the Cilicians, &c. ? 7. What is said of Tarsus? The Cydnus river ? 

What occurred at Issus ? At Anchiale, &c. ? 9. What is said of Coracesiuro 
and the other towns ? 


















24 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


9. Curace'sium was a famous strong-hold of the Cilician pirates; it was 
taken by Pompey B. C. 67. At Seli'nus, the emperor Trajan died. Anemu'- 
rium was the southernmost town in Asia Minor. Soli, or Pompeiop'olis, 
was at first a Greek colony; the inhabitants of which lost the purity of their 
native tongue ; hence an incorrect expression is termed a solecism. This, 
however, is by some derived from Soli in the island of Cyprus. Among tha 
other towns were Laer'tes, Seleu'cia Trache a, Arsin'oe, Philadelphia, Antio- 
hi'aad Cragum, Homon'ada, Ad'ana, Mopsues'tia', Mallos and Germanic'ia. 

Map No. 2.—What Gulf south of Pamphylia ? P. What mountains in the 
nterior ? T. What rivers ? C. E. What Lake in Pisidia ? C. At what time 
were two battles fought on the Eurymedon? Point out the towns mentioned 
in the text. What sea bounds Cilicia on the south ? C. What Gulf in the 
south-east? I. What mountains in the north? T. On the east? A. 
Name the chief rivers. C. L. C. S. P. Point out the Pyl® Cilicia and Syriae 
Pyle. Point out the chief towns. At what time were the battles fought 
for which Issus is noted ? How manv years elapsed between the first and 
last ? 

PHRYGIA. 

1. Phrygia was one of the largest provinces of Asia Minor. It 
once comprised Greater and Lesser Phrygia, as well as a large 
part of Galatia; Lesser Phrygia lay along the Propontis, and was 
attached to Mysia. The Katakekau'mene, or burnt country, was 
a parched and barren region that lay partly in Phrygia and partly 
in Lydia. It was subject to volcanic action, and had been more 
than once desolated by earthquakes. Lycao'nia, a rugged district in 
the south-east, abounded in sheep. 

2. The Phrygians were among the first settlers of Asia Minor 
They were civilized at an early period, were skilful in mining ana 
agriculture, and were noted for their dancing, music, and needle 
work. 

3. Gordius, one of their early kings, is said to have tied the knot which 
Alexander tried to unloose. Midas, another king, received of Bacchus the 
power to turn every thing he touched into gold; but, finding that his very 
food was converted to the precious metal, and that he was starving in th« 
midst of wealth, he prayed to the god to resume the useless gift. 



Ruins of the Race-Courge cr Stadium at Laodicea. 


4. At Ipsus, a great battle was fought between the surviving generals of 
Alexander the Great, in which Antig'onus was defeated and slain. A 

Q. 1. Describe Phrygia. What did it once comprise? What is van 
af the Katakekaumene ? Of Lycaonia? 2. Of the Phrygians? 3. Oi 








ASIA MINOR. 


25 


rficrap'olis were some noted hot baths. Laodice'a was the seat rf one of the 
seven churches of Asia; it was once a splendid city, but is now in ruins, 
To the people of Colos'sae, St. Paul wrote one of his epistles. Near Syn'nada, 
the lapis Synnad'icus, a beautiful kind of white marble, with red spots, was 
procured; slabs and columns of it were frequently transported as far ag 
Rome. Ancy'ra Phrygife, Apamc'a Cibo'tis, Laodice'a Combusta, Cib'yra 
Ico'nium, Derbe and Lystra, were all towns of note; the last two were visited 
by St Paul. 

CAPPADOCIA. 

5. Cappadocia was the largest division of Asia Minor, and was 
at one time an important kingdom. Armenia Minor and Pontus 
were both attached to it, but the latter became afterwards inde¬ 
pendent. Catao'nia was a district in the south-eastern part of the 
province. It was noted for the abundance of its minerals, as well 
as for its fine breed of horses. 

The inhabitants were faithless and destitute of moral recti¬ 
tude. They were one of the three nations of bad character in¬ 
cluded in the old Greek proverb, “ Tria kappa kakista;” beware 
of the three k’s, i. e., Kappadocia, Kilicia and Krete. The peo¬ 
ple of the districts contiguous to Pontus and Galatia were called 
Leuco-Syri (White Syrians,) because they resembled the inhabit¬ 
ants of Syria, and spoke their language ; but were of lighter com¬ 
plexion. 

7. Maz'aca, the ancient capital of Cappadocia, was called Ctesarc'a by the 
Romans, with the addition of ad Argae'um to designate its position at the 
base of Mount Argae'us. This mountain was represented to be the highest 
in Asia Minor; from its summit, botli the Euxine and Mediterranean seas 
might (it was said) be seen. Coma'na Cappadocia? was famed for its tempi*? 
of Diana, which was plundered of its wealth by Antony. 

8. Archela'is was a Roman colony ; Melite'ne and Sat'ala were the chief 
towns in Armenia Minor. Cabi'ra and Nicop'olis were noted for the battles 
fought there between Mithrida'tes and the Romans. Nazian'zus and Nyssa 
were the birth-places respectively of the two Gregories, noted fathers of the 
Ciiristian Church in the fourth century. Ty'ana, Podan'dus, Sala'bria, Ca- 
dy'na and Cybis'tra, were towns in Cappadocia. 

GALATIA. 

9. Galatia was one of the interior provinces of Asia Minor; and 
was once included partly in Phrygia and partly in Cappadocia. It 
was settled by, and received its name from, those Gauls who, under 
the command of Brennus, invaded and were driven from Greece, 
278 B. C. They comprised three tribes; the Tectos'ages, the To- 
listoboi'i, and the Trocmi. Though independent of each other, these 
tribes were usually united in a confederacy for mutual defence. 

Gordius ? Of Midas ? 4. What occurred at ipsus ? Mention what is said 

of the other towns. 5. Describe Cappadocia. Cataonia, &c. 6. The in¬ 
habitants. 7. What is said of Mazaca ? Mt. Argoeus 7 8. Archelais and 

the other town** ? 9. Describe Galatia. Its settlement, &c. What tribe* 

3 



26 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPH V. 



Alexander cutting the Gordian Knot. 


10. Ancy'ra, the chief town of the Tectos'ages, was remarkable for a pecu 
liar breed of goats, and is celebrated to the present day for its fabrics made 
from their long and silky hair. At Gordium, Alexander the Great cut the 
famous Gordian knot with his sword when he found that he was unable fairly to 
unloose it. According to ancient prediction, whoever untied this knot 
was to become master of Asia. 

11. Pessi'nus, the capital of the Tolistoboi'i, was celebrated for the wor¬ 
ship of Cyb'ele, the mother of the gods. Ta'vium was the capital of the 
Trocmi. Gangra was the residence of King Deiot'arus, the friend of Ci¬ 
cero, in favour of whom he delivered an oration in the senate. Amo'rium, 
Rosologi'acum, Eccob'riga and Germa, were important towns. AtDadasta'na 
the emperor Jovian was unexpectedly found dead in his bed. 


Map No. 2.—What rivers have their rise in Phrygia ? T. H. M. What 
mountains arc there ? P. D. What hills ? L. Lake ? T. Point out the 
chief towns. When was the battle of Ipsus fought? Point out the Kata- 
kaukemcne. Lycaonia. The chief rivers in Cappadocia. IJ. S. M. The 
principal mountains. T. A. A. What districts in the south ? C. In the 
east ? A. What people in the north ? L. Point out the chief towns. 
When were battles fought at Cabira and Nicopolis? What mountains lie 
between Galatia and Phrygia? A. What mountains west of the Halys? 
M. What lake in the centre? Point out the chief towns. The tribes 

- 10- 

SYRIA. 

I. Sytua extends north and south along the easternmost coast 
of the Mediterranean Sea, and eastward from its shores to the 
Euphrates river and Arabia Deserta. By the Greeks, it was con- 

did they comprise? 10. What is said of Ancyra? 11. Of Pessin^ 7 
Tavium and the other towns ? 

<1 1. How does Syria extend? What did the Greeks consider it to in- 





































SYRIA. 


27 


sidered tc include Palestine and Phoenicia; but the Jews always 
regarded those countries as distinct and independent.* 

2. The chief divisions in ancient times were Syria Proper and 
Caele-Syria, (Syria in the vale, from being situated among the val¬ 
leys of the Lib'anus.) In the north was the district of Comage'ne, 
which was governed by its own kings until the time of Vespasian. 

3. A considerable part of the country is occupied by the Syrian descrL 
which is a continuation of and is similar in every respect to, the great desert 
ol Arabia. The principal mountains are the Ama'nus, Ca'sius, and Lib'anus 
and Anti-Lib'anus: the two last are called Lebanon in Scripture; their sum. 
mits are capped with perpetual snow. They were long noted For their splen¬ 
did forests of cedar trees, of which only a few small groves remain. The 
principal rivers are the Euphrates, the Orontes, and the Leontes. 



Mountains of Libanus or Lebanon. 


4. Among the smaller rivers, the Eleu'therus was noted in early times for 
a monstrous dragon reported to inhabit its banks, within whose jaws 
there was room enough for a mounted horseman. The waters of the Sab', 
batum were said to cease flowing on the Sabbath-day; hence its name. 
Those of the Ado'nis were in the rainy season tinged with the ocherous sub¬ 
stances from the mountains; whence the fabulous tradition that the river 
flowed with blood at the anniversary of the death of Ado'nis, who was killed 
by a wild boar on its banks. 

5. The Syrians belonged to a widely extended race, which 
included the people of Assyria, Armenia, Babylonia, Cappadocia 
and Mesopotamia; all of whom were originally the same in 
language and manners. The name is supposed to have been 
abridged from Assyria, or derived from Sur, the early appellation 

elude ? 2. Name the chief divisions. 3. What is said of the Syrian desert ? 
Of the principal mountains ? What is said of Libanus and Anti-Libanus ? 
Of the principal rivers ■ 4. The Eleutherus ? The Sabbatum ? The Ado¬ 
nis ? 5. What is said of the Syrians ? Of the name, &c.? 6. Of Syria? 

* The description of Palestine is reserved for Sacred Geography. 





98 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


of Tyre The terms Syria and Assyria are sufficiently defined 
in geography, but are often indiscriminately used in history 

fi. Syria was attached at an early period to the Assyrian empire, 
and afterwards to that of Persia, to which power it remained sub¬ 
ject until the conquest by Alexander the Great. On the division 
of that monarch’s empire, Syria fell to the share of Seleucus Nica'- 
tor, one of his generals. 

7. Seleucus assumed the title of king of Syria, and subjected to his swa 
all the countries from the ASge'an Sea to India and the Iaxar'tes. This prince 
encouraged letters, and restored to Athens the books and monuments of art 
that had been carried off by Xerxes. He was the father and benefactor of 
his people, and was eminent for his courage, prudence and humanity. 

8. The Seleu'cidfe, or successors of Seleu'cus, governed the country for 
more than 200 years, when the last sovereign, Anti'ochus Asiat'icus, was de¬ 
throned by Pompey: Syria then became a Roman province, and remained 
in that state until it was conquered by the Saracens, A. D. 612. 



Modern Antioch. 


9. Among the most noted cities of Syria was An'tioch, or Antioch i'a, sur- 
named ad Oron'tem, from the Oron'tes river on which it stood. This place, 
for extent, beauty, and population, was at one time esteemed the third city 
in the world, and was called the Queen of the East. It is now a poor and 
ill built Turkish town of 11,000 or 12,000 inhabitants. Near to Antioch 
was the celebrated grove called Daphne, where Venus was worshipped with 
great licentiousness. 

10. Chal ybon was situated on the river Chalcis, the fish of which were 
held sacred by the Syrians, who would allow no one to destroy them. Pin- 
denis'sus was besieged and captured by Cicero, B. C. 51, when he was pro- 
consul of Cilicia. Samos'ata was the capital of Coxnage'ne ; hefe the poet 
Lucian was born. At Sochos, Dari'us lay for some time with his army, pro- 
vious to the battle of Issus. 

11. Hierap'olis was celebrated for a temple of Venus, which was so rich, 
that Crassus, when he plundered it in his Parthian expedition, occupied several 
days in weigmng the treasure. At Zeugma was a noted bridge of boats 
over the Euphrates, and here the Roman armies generally crossed the river. 

7. Seleucus ? What did this prince do ? What is his character ? 8. What 

is said of the Seleucida3 ? 9. Describe Antioch. 10. Chalybon, 

11. Hieropolis, &c. 12. Emesa, &.c. 13. Damascus. Heliopolis. 










PALMYRA. 29 

Apame'a,on the Oron'tes, was, in the time of Seleu'cus, a great military 
depot, where 500 war-elephants were kept. 

12. 'Em'esa was famous for its temple of the Sun; Heliogab'alus, one of its 
priests, was made emperor of Rome by the Roman soldiery, when only 14 
years of age. Zeno'bia was defeated at this place by Aure'lian, A. D. 273. At 
Thap'sacus was a noted ford over the Euphrates, where three great armies 
crossed at different times, viz.: that of Cyrus the younger, B. C. 601; that 
of Darius, B.C. 332 ; and that of Alexander the Great, B. C. 331. 

13. Damas'cus, called the Eye of the East, was the capital of Ccele-Syr'i a, 
as well as of the kingdom of Damas'cus; it is still an important city, and 
is situated in a delightful and fertile territory. The Turks and Arabs believe 
it to have been the original Paradise, and that it has not its equal on earth. 
Here Derne'trius Nica'tor was defeated by Alexander Zebi'na. Heiiop'olis, 
now Ba'albec', is famous for a splendid temple of the Sun, the ruins of 
which still remain, and show its former magnificence. 

Map No. 5.—What sea bounds Syr'ia on the west? What river on the 
east ? What country in the north? A. M. On the south ? A. P. On the 
north-east ? M. On the south-east ? A. D. What country extends along 
the coast from Mount Carmel to Ar'adus? P. What inland sea in the 
south ? What river flows into it ? What country extends along the Jor. 
dan? What district south of Palestine? I. What desert between the 
Oron'tes and the Euphra'tcs rivers ? What islands on the coast ? M. A. 

Map of Northern and Central Syr'ia. —What district lies in the North ? 
C. In the south ? C. S. East? P. What country west of Ccele Syr'ia ? P. 
What rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea ? Into lakes ? What moun¬ 
tains between Syr'ia and Asia Minor ? Between the Oron'tes river and the 
Mediterranean Sea? C. East of Phoenicia? Point out the cities men¬ 
tioned in the text. When were battles fought at Antioch? Emesa? Da¬ 
mascus ? 


- 11 - 

PALMY'RA. 

1. Palmy'ra was once a splendid city, and formed, for a short 
time, the capital of an important state. It was situated in the 
Palmyre'ne, a district and oasis in the centre of the Syrian desert, 
and rather more than midway between the Mediterranean Sea 
and the Euphrates river. 

2. Tad'mor in the wilderness, mentioned in Holy Writ as hav¬ 
ing been founded by Solomon, and Palmy'ra, are the same; and 
both names are derived from the palm trees with which the city 
was surrounded. Though for a long time in ruins, the remains 
of its splendid temples and palaces still command admiration. 

3. This city was from a remote period a great emporium of 
commerce between eastern and western Asia. It was an impor¬ 
tant place at the time when Tra'jan subjected the whole province 

Q. 1. What is said of Palmy'ra ? Where was it situated? 2. What is 
said of Tad'mor ? Of its remains ? 3. What was this citr ? What occurred 

3 * 




30 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY 


r*> his power. It then became allied to Rome as a free State, and 
was greatly favoured by A'drian and the Antoni'nes. 

4. In the reign of Gallie'nus, the Roman senate conferred on Odena'tus, 
king of Palmy'ra, as a reward for his services to the empire, the command 
of the eastern provinces, which, owing in a great measure, it is believed, to tht 
skill and prudence of his queen Zeno'-bia, he defended with talent and success. 

5. On the death of her husband, Zeno'bia, under the title of queen of the 
East, assumed the sovereignty of the provinces which he had governed. 
Aure'lian, when he became emperor, considered Zeno'bia as an usurper; ho 
therefore declared war against her, twice defeated her armies, captured Pal- 
rnv'ra, and took her prisoner. To preserve her life, she ungenerously laid 
the blame of the war, it is said, on her learned secretary Longi'nus, who 
was in consequence put to death. 

6. The conquered queen was taken to Rome, and led through the city in 
a triumphal procession, fettered with chains of gold. A residence was 
then assigned to her at Ti'bur, in the vicinity of Rome, and her children 
were treated with great respect by the emperor. Zeno'bia is described as an 
accomplished and high-minded princess ; she spoke several languages, and 
was well versed in the learning of that period. 



Ruins of Palmy'ra. 

7. Palmy'ra gradually declined after its capture by Aure'lian, and was 
subsequently taken by the Saracens; it then remained forgotten and unknown 
until about the middle of the 18th century, when it was discovered by two 
English travellers. There still exist a great number of beautiful columns, 
ruins of temples and palaces, all admirably wrought of marble ; while the 
ground is everywhere strewn with the wrecks of the splendid structures of 
the ancient city. The neighbouring Arabs now call it Tad'mor, its ancient 
Hebrew name. 


cy'prus. 

8. Cy'prus is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, excep 
Sicily and Sardinia. It was famous for the variety and abundance 
of its products, and its delightful climate. Wine, oil, wheat, and 

in the time of Tra'jan ? 4. In the reigh of Gallie'nus ? What is said of 

Zeno'bia ? 5. What took place on the death of her husband ? IIow did 

Aure lian treat, her when he became emperor ? 6. What occurred when she 

was taken to Rome ? Where did she reside ? Describe Zeno'bia. 7. What 
is said of Palmy ra? When was it discovered, &c.? What still exists? 
What 4o the Arabs call it / 8. Describe Cy'prus. For what was it famous* 













PHOENICIA. 


31 


honey, were and are still its chief staples. The range of Mount 
Olym'pus extends through the whole length of the island. 

9. The women were models of beauty. The whole island was sacred to 
Venus ; hence she was called Cyp'ria, or the Cyp'rian goddess. The people 
were sensual and dissipated, yet literature and the arts flourished to some 
extent. 

10. The first inhabitants of Cy'prus are unknown; the Phoenicians at an 

early period established colonies in the island; afterwards it was succes. 
•lively conquered by the Egyptians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Ptol emies, 
and the Romans. After the division of the Roman territories, Cy'prus con. 
tinued subject to the Eastern empire, and was ruled by its own governors 
of royal blood ; of whom Comnenus I. made himself independent, and his 
family sat upon the throne till A D. 1191, when Richard Cceur de Lion 
rewarded the family of Lusignan with the sceptre. x 

11. Sal'amis, the most important town in Cy'prus, was destroyed by an 
earthquake in the time of Constantine ; but was rebuilt by his order, and 
called, after him, Constan'tia. Cit'iuin was the birth-place of Zeno and 
Apollonius; there Ci'mon, the celebrated Athenian general, died. 

12. Pa'phos is said to have been founded on the spot where Venus landed 
when she rose from the sea. The splendid temple in which she was wor¬ 
shipped contained 100 altars, which smoked daily with a profusion of fran¬ 
kincense; and though exposed to the open air, they were never, it is said, 
wetted by the ram. Sol'oe, or So'li, was an Atheniar colony ; the term sole¬ 
cism is bv some derived from this place, but by others from So'li in Cilicia. 
Cerin'ia was an early Phoenician colony ; Am'athus and Cu'rium were both 
noted towns. 


Map No. 5.— Point out Palmyra. What river lies east of it? E. What 
river west? O. What town lies west? What town lies east? What 
important city northwest? What southeast? Which is the nearest town 
on the Euphrates ? 

Map No. 2.— What is the length of Cyprus from east to west? What is 
its extent from north to south in miles? In stadia? How many miles is 
Cyprus from the nearest part of Syria? Of Asia Minor ? Of Crete ? Of 
Rhodes ? What is the name of its northern cape or promontorium ? Its 
southern? Eastern? Western? 


- 12 - 

PHCENIC'IA. 

1. Phcenic'ia, the country of the Sido'nians and Tyrians, or 
Phoenicians, consisted of a “narrow strip of territory, which lay 
between Mount Lib'anus and the Mediterranean Sea; and ex¬ 
tended along the coast of Syria from Mount Carmel to the Island 
of Ar'adus. 


What were its chief staples? What range extends through its land? 
9. What is said of tiie women 7 Of the people? 10. The first inhabitants, 
Ac.? What occurred after the division of the Roman territories? 11. 
What is said of Salamis? Citium? 12. Paphos? Soloe or Soli? And 
the other towns ? 

✓ 


i 






82 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


2. The Phoenicians were settled on the coast of Palestine long 
before the arrival o*' the Israelites. The maritime position of 
their country, and its abundance of timber, led them at an early 
period to ship-building, then to navigation and commercial pur¬ 
suits. They also practised various arts, and excelled in useful 
and beautiful manufactures, so that fabrics of a superior quality 
received the epithet Sido'nian, from Si'don the oldest city. 

3. They were the first who used rudders and sails, and steered their ships 
at night by the stars. They invented arithmetic, and, according to the 
Greeks, the letters of the alphabet originated with Cadmus, a Phoenician. 
These people also discovered the mode x>f making glass; and their famous 
purple dye, derived from a species of shell first found on their coasts, was 
highly prized and produced them great wealth. 

4. Their commerce was extended far and wide by the establishment of 
colonies in various fjuarters, of which Carthage, Utica, and Gades, were 
the most important. The latter, now Cadiz, on the southern coast of Spain, 
was their principal settlement beyond the straits of Hercules, or Gibraltar. 

5. The Phoenicians obtained gold and silver from Spain, tin from Britain, 
amber from the Baltic, and brass and iron from the shores of the Black 
Sea; they traded overland with various interior countries of Asia and Africa, 
and it is believed they sailed to India by the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. 

6. Phoenicia formed a confederation of cities, of which, in their 
most flourishing period, from the year 1000 to 600 B. C., Tyre 
was the ruling power. Tyre and Si'don were each governed by 
their own kings, of whom the best known are Hi'ram, the friend 
of David and Solomon, and Pygma'lion, the brother of Di'do. The 
language of the Phoenicians was similar to the Hebrew. In their 
rel gious worship, the horrid rite of human sacrifice was practised. 



Saide, anciently Sidon. 


7. Si'don was the oldest city of Phoenicia, and one of the* earliest places 

Q. 1. Describe Phoenicia. 2. Previous to what event were the Phoenicians 
settled on the coast of Palestine? What is said of the country, &c. I 
W hat did the Phoenicians practise? 3. What were they the first to use ? 
What did they invent, &,c.? What did they discover? 4. What is said 
of their commerce ? Their most important colonies ? The principal set¬ 
tlement beyond the Straits of Hercules ? 5. What did they obtain from 

Spam ? From Britain ? From the Baltic ? From the Black Sea ? What 
is said of the overland trade ? 6. What did Phoenicia form ? What is 
said of the kings ? 7. Describe Sidon. 


/ 










PHOENICIA 


33 


In the world that carried on an extensive commerce. It was captured by 
Artaxer'xes O'chus, king of Persia. During the siege, the inhabitants, in 
despair, set fire to their houses, and 40,000 of them perished in the flames. 
Si'don never recovered its former rank. In the time of the Crusades, it was 
a place of some note. It is now called Saide, and is a town of 5000 or 
6)00 inhabitants. A few huge stones, the remains of the gigantic mole 
are the only remnants of the old city. 

8. Tyre was built by the Sido'nians, and became the rival of Si'don, as 
wi ll as the chief city of Phcenic'ia. It rose to be the greatest commercial 
emporium of antiquity before the time of Carthage. It was founded on 
lbs main-land, but after its destruction by Nebuchadnez'zar, King of Baby- 
ion, a second city was built on a sintoll rocky island, half a mile from the 
shore ; but the latter never attained the importance of the first Tyre. The 
old city was rebuilt and was called Paloe Tyre. In the days of Pliny, the 
two cities were estimated to be 19 miles in circuit. 

9. Alexander the Great, 331 B. C., took Tyre after a siege of eight 
months, during which time his army constructed a mole, or causeway, to 
the island, and was thus enabled to conquer the place. Tyre recovered 
from its second capture, attained once more considerable distinction, and 
was made a free city by the Romans. During the Crusades it was the 
principal port and rendezvous of the Crusaders; since that period it has 
gradually declined until now nothing is left but ruins, among which stand* 
the small fishing village of Sour. 



The Ru»ns of Aradus, now Ruad. 


10. Ar'adus, on a small island of the same name, was an important and 
wealthy city; the houses, according to Strabo, were higher and contained 
more r.tories than those of Rome. This island is now a mere rock, covered 
with the remains of its departed grandeur. Trip'olis was built by the 
people of Tyre, Si'don and Ar'adus, as a place of general assembly for 

\ their deputies; it formed three towns, each enclosed by its own walls. 

11. Byb'lus was celebrated for the worship of Ado'nis. Bery'tus became 
a Roman colony under the name of Felix Julia; its schools for the study 
of jurisprudence and the fine arts, were noted. Sarep'ta was distinguished 


8. Describe Tyre. Who destroyed it ? What is said of the second city 1 

9. Of Alexander the Great? Of the subsequent condition of Tyre? Id 
Describe Aradus. Tripolis. 11. Byblus and the other towns. 

c 



34 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

for its wine; it was the place whence Jupiter is said to have carried away 
Euro'pa to Cre'te. Ac'cho, or Ptolcma'is, is renowned for the sieges it lias 
sustained. Near it was the little river Be'les, where the mode of making 
glass was discovered. 


Map No. 5 .—What sea lies west of Phoenicia? M. What island lies 
north-west? C. What mountain lies at the southern extremity of Phoeni¬ 
cia? C. 

Map of Northern and Central Syria. — Point out the principal river 
of Phoenicia. E. S. A. L. What mountains lie east of Phoenicia? L. A. L. 
What division of Syria lay east of Tyre and Sidon ? C. Name the towns 
on the coast, beginning with Tyre. What island lies at the northern ex¬ 
tremity of Phoenicia? A. What town lay cast of Aradus ? A. 


-13- 

ARA'BIA. 

1. Ara'bia is remarkable for preserving its name and boundaries 
unchanged for thousands of years. The ancient geographers 
described it as containing three great divisions, viz : Arabia Petrae'a 
(the rocky), Arabia Felix (the fruitful, or happy), and Arabia De- 
serta (the desert,or barren): but this arrangement is more fanciful 
than real, and has never corresponded with the actual political 
divisions of the country at any period. 



Arabian Caravan. 


4. The greater part of Ara'bia has always been inhabited by nomadie 
plundering tribes, whom the Greeks called Ar'abes Sccni'tre. The inhabit¬ 
ant of the coast, on tin* other hand, were different in their habits, and 


Q. I. For what is Arabia remarkable ? How did the ancient geographers 
describe it? What is said of this arrangement? 2. What is safd of the 
chief part of Arabia ? Of the inhabitants on the coast, &c. ? The earn- 


















ARABIA. 


35 


had probablj a. different origin; they supplied the nations on the shores of 
the Mediterranean Sea with the rich products of the east, and so unchange¬ 
able is the aspect of civilization in that part of Asia, that the caravans then 
employed, scarcely differed in any particular from those which now traverse 
the desert. 

3. Ara'bia Petrae'a comprised the north-western part of Ara'bia. Mount 
Si’nai, Mount Uo'reb and Mount Hor, were the principal mountains. The 
Nahathse'i, one of the principal tribes, were the E'domites of Scripture* 
Idmne'a was a part of their territory; Pet'ra, their capital, is remarkable 
for the singularity of its situation. It has been, for centuries, destitute of 
inhabitants, and its very site was unknown for a thousand years, but was 
recently discovered. 

4. This place is about half way between the Red Sea and Pal'estine; it 
comprises a small circular basin, enclosed on all sides by rocks 500 or 600 
feet high, to which there is but one narrow entrance. The inner face of 
this barrier is excavated into temples, tombs and other structures, most of 
which are entire ; while the interior area, that was occupied by the city, is a 
mere mass of ruins. Pet'ra signifies a rock, and gave name to Ara'bia Petrte'a. 

5. Ara'bia Felix lay along the shores of the Arabian Gulf and the 
Erythrae'an Sea. It has long been famous as the land of incense, 
spices and perfumes; but it is now believed that the rich products 
in which its merchants traded were, for the most part, obtained 
from India and Africa. 

6. The district of Sabae'i, or She'ba, was renowned for the enterprise and 
wealth of its inhabitants. Gold and silver were so abundant, that common 
utensils were made of those metals; and the temples and houses were often 
profusely ornamented with the same costly materials. Maria'ba, a noted 
commercial city, was the capital. 

7. Ara'bia Deserta comprised the interior of the country. It 
consisted, as its name imports, of sandy deserts, destitute of water 
in many places for an extent of several days’ journey; but in 
others, as in the region now called Nedjed, or the country of the 
Wahabees,it is known to contain some fertile and populous districts. 

8. The Saeali'tae, or Sachali'tte, dwelt eastward of the Sa'bae ; they traded 
chiefly in frankincense. Ara'bia Felix, Oma'nuin and Mos'cha, w r ere im¬ 
portant sea-ports on the shores of the Arabian Sea, as were also Eziongaber, 
iEla'na, Leuce-come, Jamnia, Badia-Regia and Oce'lis, on those of the Red 
Sea; at the latter port, ships that were destined for India took in their last 
supplies of water for the voyage. 

9. At Ger'ra, or Ger'rha, on the Persian Gulf, the walls and towers are 
said to have been constructed of rock-salt. The island of Da'den, or Ty'los 
(now Bahrein), was, in ancient times, as it is at the present day, the chief 
scat of the pearl-fishery. Iathrippa and Macor'aba, now Medina, and Mecca, 
have both been noted cities since the days of Mahomet. 

10. Arab ‘a was never conquered by any foreign nation; Alexander the 

vans of the present age ? 3. What did Arabia Petraea comprise, &c. 

What is said of the Nabathaei ? Of Petra? 4. Describe its situation, &c. 
What does Petrte'a signify ? 5. Mention the situation of Arabia Felix. 
For what has it been long famous, &c. ? 6. What is said of the district 

of Sabcei, or Sheba ? 7 Describe Arabia Deserta. 8. What is said of the 

Saealitoe, or Suchalitee ? Mention the towns. 9. What is said of Gcrra ? 



36 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Great, and subsequently the Romans, in the time of Augustus, made exten¬ 
sive inroads into the interior; but, for want of water, were obliged to retrace 
their steps. The chief part of Ara'bia Petrse'a was conquered by Trajan, 
A. D. 107. A Roman legion was, for a time, stationed at Bostra, where the 
Emperor Philip, surnamed Arabus, was born. 

11. During the 7th century, Ara'bia acquired, under the sway of Maho 
met and the Caliphs, a new and formidable character; vast territories were 
conquered, and an empire was established equalling in power and exlen 
11 .e greatest states of antiquity. Though for a time averse to polite letters 
the Arabs or Saracens became, during the ninth century, the most civilized 
and learned people in the world. Their vast empire no longer exists, but 
the influence of their institutions continues to be felt; and the language, lite¬ 
rature and religion of Arabia, is still revered over iarge portions of the East. 

Map No. 1.—What gulf or sea bounds Arabia on the west ? On the east ? 
What sea on the south-east ? What strait separated Arabia from Ethiopia / 
A. D. What gulf on the south-west ? A. What towns lay on the Arabian 
Gulf? On the Erythraean Sea? The Persian Gulf? In the interior ? 

Map No. 5.—Where is Arabia Petroea ? Mount Sinai? Mount Horeb ? 
Mount Hor ? Idumea ? Desert of Paran ? Petra ? Eziongaber, or Bere¬ 
nice ? /Elana ? Leuce-come ? 


-14- 

ARM E'N IA. 

1. Armf/nia is an interior region, and lies to the south-east of 
the Euxine Sea. It is an elevated country, and is traversed by 
lofty mountains, nearly all whose summits are covered with snow; 
hence the climate is cool, and the winters are often severe. 



Noah and his Family leaving the Ark. 


2. Ar'arat is the loftiest and most noted mountain in Arme'nia. On it* 

The Island of Daden ? Iathrippa, &c. ? 10. What is stated of Arabia ? Of 
Alexander the Great? The Romans, &c. ? 11. What occured during the. 

seventh century ? What is said of the Arabs, or Saracens ? 

Q. 1 Describe Armenia. 2. What is said of Mount Ararat ? Of the 











ARMENIA. 


37 


summit the ark is supj osed to have rested, and from its base Noah and 
his sons set forth to replenish the earth. The Euphrates, Ti'gris, and 
Arax'es rivers take their rise in this region. The Arsis'sa and Lychni'tis, 
now the Van, and the Er'ivan, are the principal lakes. The water of the 
first is brackish, and unfit for use. 

3. The Arme'nians were originally the same people as the Syri¬ 
ans ; they are one of the oldest nations in the world, and have 
maintained themselves as a distinct race, with a limited degree of 
cultivation, from the time of the Assyrian empire. The Greeks 
and Romans had but an indifferent opinion of these people; they 
believed them to be destitute of patriotism, and indifferent to 
liberty or political freedom. 

4. Though sometimes under the rule of its native princes, Arme'nia was 
subjected by turns to the Assyrians, the Medes, the Persians, the Greeks, 
and the Syr'ians. On the overthrow of Anti'ochus the Great by Scip'io, 187 
B. C., the country was divided into Arme'nia Major and Minor; the latter 
lay west of the Euphrates river. Ailer many contests with the Parthians, 
Tra'jan, about 106 A. D., annexed Armenia Major to the Roman empire 
Subsequently it became independent, and .was governed by its own kings 
until the time of the Saracen invasion ; since that period n has often 
changed masters. It is now divided between the Turks, Persians, and Rus 
sians. 

5. Artax'ata, Am'ida and Tigranoccr'ta, were the chief towns in Arme 
nia; the first named was once the capital. Am'ida, now Diar'bekir, was 
strongly fortified, and the walls built by the Romans still serve to protect 
the town. Tigranoccr'ta was founded by Tigra'nes, King of Arme'nia ; it 
was a beautiful and wealthy city, and was peopled chiefly by Greeks, forci 
bly carried thither from Asia Minor. In its vicinity Lucul'lus defeated Ti¬ 
gra'nes, when the city surrendered to the Romans. Vast riches fell into the 
hands of the captors. Naxua'na, Artemi'ta, Ar'zen, Arsamos'ata and Theo- 
dosiop'olis were towns in Arme'nia. 

MESOPOTAMIA. 

6. Mesopota'mia lay between the Euphrates and Tigris, and 
derived its name, which signifies between the rivers, from that cir¬ 
cumstance. The modern inhabitants call it A1 Jezira, the island. 
It was once regarded as a part of Syria, and one of its scripture 
names is A'ram Nahara'im, or Syria of the rivers. 

7 The northern part of the country comprised the districts of 
Osroe'ne and Mygdo'nia. This division was rich in grain, fruit 
and pasturage, and was often called Mesopota'mia Felix. Tl u 
southern division was flat and sandy; its inhabitants were chiefly 


Euphrates River, &c. ? The Arsissa Lake, &c. ? 3. What is said of the 

Armenians ? What opinion had the Greeks and Romans of these people ? 
4. To what power was Armenia subjected ? When was it divided, &c. ? 
What occurred in the time of Trajan ? Subsequently, &c. ? 5. What is 

Baid of Artaxata, &c. ? What is said of Tigranocerta ? W hat occured 
in its vicinity ? Name the other towns. 6. Describe Mesopotamia. How 
was it once regarded ? 7. What is said of the northern part of tire country 

\ 4 



38 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY 


wandering Arabs. The ostrich and the wild ass were once found 
here, but those animals have long since disappeared. 

8. From remote times, Mesopotamia nearly always constituted a portion 
of the adjacent great empires. The Romans seized it during the Milhri- 
dat'ic war, and Tra'jan formed it into a Roman province. It was often the 
scene of warlike operations between the Romans and the Parthians; after¬ 
wards between the former and the new Persians. It finally fell info the 
power of the latter, and then successively into that of the Saracens and the 
Turks. 

9. Edes'sa, Circe'sium and Nis'ibis were the most important-towns in 
Mesopota'mia; the last named was long a noted fortress, and when ceded by 
the Romans to the Persians, the former attempted in vain to recover it. At 
Rcsaina, the Persians were defeated by Gordian. Batme, or Batnse Seru'gi, 
was noted for a great annual fair, held for the sale of Indian commodities. 

10. Car'rhce, the Haran of scripture, was the place whence Abraham de¬ 
parted for Canaan. In its vicinity, Cras'sus the triumvir was defeated and 
taken prisoner by the Parthians, who put him to death by pouring, in deri¬ 
sion of his avarice, melted gold down his throat. Ur was the first residence 
of Abraham ; in the time of the Romans it was an important citadel in 
which the army of Julian took refuge after his defeat. 

11. Singa'ra, Cae'ne, Bir'tha and Apame'a were important towns. At 
Singa'ra, Sapor gave the Romans a signal defeat. Hatrah was an impreg¬ 
nable fortress situated in a fertile oasis, surrounded by a desert: it resisted 
the attacks of both Tra'jan and Seve'rus. On the Euphrates, below the 
junction of the Chabo'ras, was the tomb of the younger Gordian. 

Map No. 5.—What countries bounded Armenia on the north ? C. I. On 
the south? On the west? What rivers rise in Armenia ? E. T. A. What 
mountains formed part of the southern boundary ? What mountains tra¬ 
versed the interior? Which is the principal mountain ? Which are the 
principal lakes ? Point out the towns mentioned in the text. 

What river bounds Mesopotamia on the east? On the west? What 
mountains on the north ? What river flows into the Euphrates ? What 
towns lay on the Euphrates ? On the Tigris ? What towns between those 
rivers ? When were battles fought near Carrhoe, at Resaina, an ^ Singara ? 

-15- 

ASSYRIA. 

1. Assyr'ia was one of the first settled countries in the world. 
It became also the seat of one of the earliest established monar* 
chies, and hence it was intimately connected with the origin of 
government, arts, and civilization. 

2. It lay between Armenia, Mesopotamia, Me'dia, and Persia 


The southern division? 8. What was Mesopotamia from remote times? 
What is said of the Romans ? Of what was it often the scene ? What 
occurred finally ? 9. Describe Edessa, &,c. Resaina, &c. 10. Carrhse. 

What took place in its vicinity? What is said of Ur? 11. Singara and 
the other towns ? 

Q. 1. What was Assyria? What did it become? 2. Describe its situa 






ASSYRIA. 


39 


and extended along the left bank of the Ti'gris river. Eastward 
rose the Za'gros Mountains, which formed its boundary in that 
direction, in the north were the Cardu'chi, a people fierce and 
barbarous, like their descendants, the modem Koords, and from 
whom this country is now called Koordistan. 

3. It was the original country of the Assyrians, but their empire rose in 
time to such importance as to include Mesopota'mia, Babylon, or Chaldae'a, 
Armenia, Media, Asia Minor, and Gol'chis. The inhabitants of Assyria, as 
Well as those of the three first named territories, belonged to one race, and 
were similar to the Syrians; they all spoke dialects of the same tongue, and 
their manners and customs were originally alike. 

4. The Assyrian government, like that of all other eastern monarchies, 
was thoroughly despotic. The king’s will was the law, and no code existed 
to restrict his judgments. He was the head of the religious as well as the 
political power of the state, and claimed divine worship as if he had been 
a deity. His palace was crowded with as many wives and concubines as 
he chose to collect, who were placed under the charge of eunuchs, an unfor¬ 
tunate race first brought into use in Assyria. 

5. The accounts that have reached us of the origin and growth of the 
Assyrian empire, are obscure and discrepant. According to scripture, it 
was founded either by Assh'ur or byNim'rod ; but, according to the classical 
writers, Ni'nus or Be'lus, the son of Niin'rod, established tbs empire, about 
the yea.* 2059 B. C. He is the first great warrior and conqueror on record, 
and established his power over a large portion of western and southern 
Asia. His queen and successor, Semir'amis, continued his career of vie. 
tory, and extended the bounds of the empire as far as Ethio'pia and Lib'ya, 

6. The Assyrian monarchy flourished for a period of 1240 years. Sar- 
danapa'lus, the last sovereign, neglected the duties of government, lived 
entirely, it is said, among his women and eunuchs, and dressed and painted 
himself like them. Arba'ces, governor of Media, and Bel'esis, governor of 
Babylon, despising the effeminacy of their sovereign, conspired against and 
besieged him in his capital; when, finding that he could no longer resist 
their power, Sardanapa'lus set fire to his palace and perished in the flames. 

7. A second Assyrian empire was now formed, and soon became a pow¬ 
erful state. The Modes and Babylonians again yielded to its supremacy; 
but about the year 700, B. C., the first under Cyax'ares, and the other under 
Nabopolas'sar, rose a second time, besieged and took Ni'nus and utterly 
destroyed it. Assyria was now reduced to the rank of a Median province, 
and Babylon in a short time became a powerful kingdom. Cyrus, 559 years 
B C., having attained the sovereignty of Media and Persia, conquered 
B. by Ion, which, with Assyria, he annexed to his vast empire. 

8. The city of Ni'nus (the Nin'eveh of scripture) lay on the eastern bank 
of the Ti'gris. It was one of the great capitals of antiquity, and is described, 
by some writers, to have been 48, and by others 60 miles in circumference. 

tion. What is said of the Carduchi ? 3. Of the Assyrians and their em¬ 

pire? Of the inhabitants of Assyria? 4. What was the character of the 
Assyrian government? What is said of the king? What was he? What 
did he claim ? 5. What is said of the origin, &c., of the Assyrian empire ? 

Of its founders? What is the character of Belus ? What is said of Semi¬ 
ram is ? 6. How long did the Assyrian empire flourish ? Describe Sar- 

danapalus. Describe the conspiracy formed against him. 7. What is 
said of the second Assyrian empire ? Of Cyaxares and Nabopolassar ? Of 
Assyria? Babylon? Cyrus? 8. Describe Ninus. ,9. What opinion did its 



*6 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Its walls were built of brick, 100 feet high, and so wide that three cHariota 
c^uld run abreast on their summit; and they were further secured by 1500 
lofty towers. 

9. The inhabitants considered the city to be impregnable; they relied on 
an old prediction, that it could never be taken until the river became its 
enemy. Bit this at last occurred, for, during the last siege, the Ti'gris over¬ 
flowed its banks and undermined a portion of its walls, when the city was 
captured, after a siege of three years. Ni'nus continued to be the seat of 
government, and gradually regained its former importance; but, on the 
subversion of the second empire, its stately walls and palaces were levelled 
with the dust, and the whole reduced to a mass of ruins. 



Battle of Arbela. 


10. East of Ni'nus were Arbe'la and Gaugame'la; on avast plain between 
those towns, Alexander the Great gained the decisive victory which made 
him master of the Persian empire, usually called the battle of Arbe'la. 
Some distance below Ni'nus lay Sume're, near to which the Emperor Julian 
was killed, A. D. 363, in a contest with the Persians. Lower down the 
river was O'pis, or Antiochi'a; to this place Near'chus brought his fleet by 
order of Alexander, after the completion of his voyage from India. 

Map No. 5. — W hat river formed the western boundary of Assyria ? 
What mountains 1 What country lay north ? South ? East ? West 7 
What rivers flowed into the Tigris? What cities lay on the east side of the 
Tigris ? On the Zabus Major f Zabus Minor ? At what time was a battle 
fought between those towns ? What nation occupied the northern part of 
Assyria ? What route is marked in the map on the cast side of the Tigris? 

-16- 

BABYLONIA, OR CHALDEA. 

1 . Babylonia, or Chaldea, was the seat of one of the grea 
empires of antiquity. It comprised a rich, level territory, which 

inhabitants entertain ? What occurred during the first siege ? State th* 
subsequent fate of Ninus. 10. What towns lay cast of Ninus ? What 
noted event took place there ? At Sumere ? What is stated of Opis ? 

Q. 1 . What was Babylonia, or Chaldrea? What did it comprise, &.0 













41 


BABYLONIA, OR CHALDEA. 

lay on both sides of the river Euphrates. The country was fer 
tilized by the annual overflow of that stream, in the same manner 
that Egypt is by that of the Nile. 

2. The land was well cultivated, and the products were im¬ 
mense. Numerous canals conveyed the waters of the river, and 
irrigated the soil in every quarter. The buildings were con- 
stiucted of brick, and bitumen was used instead of mortar. 

^ 3. Babylonia formed a province of the Assyrian empire until the fall of 
Ni'nus, when it became an independent State. The most noted of its kings 
was Nebuchadnez'zar; his dominions comprised Babylonia, Mesopotamia 
and Syria, including Phoenicia and the kingdom of Judah. Belshaz'zar, his 
grandson, and the last Babylonian monarch, was subdued by Cyrus, B. C. 
538, and his kingdom was added to the Persian empire. 

4. The Babylonians were a partially civilized nation 2000 years B. C. 
Twelve hundred years later, the Chaldoeans, or Ivasdim, either conquered 
or became incorporated with them. The priests were renowned for their 
skill in astronomy and astrology ; commerce and manufactures were en¬ 
couraged, and great wealth was acquired. Marriages were usually made 
by purchase, and the sick were exposed in the streets to receive the advice 
of the passers-by. 

5. The religion of the Babylonians was Sabianism, or the worship of the 
sun, moon, and stars. Their supreme deity was Ba'al, or Bel, and was sup¬ 
posed to personify the sun. Mylit'ta was the principal female divinity ; her 
worship was gross and licentious. Cruelty and obscenity were the most 
marked attributes of Babylonian as well as of Assyrian idolatry. Human 
victims were sacrificed, and the most obscene practices enjoined as a reli¬ 
gious duty. 

6. Babylon, the capital, stood on both sides of the Euphrates river; it 
was the first city that was founded after the flood, and was one of the most 
magnificent of ancient times. It was 60 miles in circuit, with walls 200 
cubits high and 50 thick, and a hundred gates of brass. Among its most 
renowned structures, were the temple of Be'lus and the Hanging Gardens. 
The former, originally, it is believed, the tower of Ba'bel, was an eighth of 
a mile in diameter at the base, and 600 feet high : it consisted of eight sto¬ 
ries, gradually diminishing as they ascended; a sloping terrace on the outside 
of the building served as a means of ascent and descent. 

7. The Babylonians having provoked a war with the Medes and Persians, 
Cyrus laid siege to the capital, but the citizens, confiding in the strength 
of their walls, laughed their enemies to scorn. At length, during a grand 
festival, when the besieged probably relaxed their wonted vigilance, Cyrus 
diverted the waters of the Euphrates into an artificial channel, marched his 
troops by night through the dried-up bed of the river into the city, and 
overcame all opposition. 


2. What is said of the land ? Products ? Canals, &c. ? 3. What did 

Babylonia form? What is said of Nebuchadnezzar? What did his domi¬ 
nions comprise ? 4. What is said of the Babylonians ? The Chaldaeans ? 

The Priests, &c. ? 5. Describe the religion of the Babylonians. What is 

said of Mylitta ? Of Babylonian and Assyrian idolatry ? 6. Describe the 

city of Babylon. Describe its chief structures. 7. With whom did the 
Babylonians provoke a war ? What then occurred ? 8. What is stated ol 

4 * 



42 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



8. Babylon, being neglected by the Persian monarchs, was falling rapidly 
to decay, when Alexander the Great resolved to restore its splendour and 
to make it his capital, but his death put an end to the project. Five hun¬ 
dred years afterwards, it was entirely deserted, and the space enclosed by 
its walls was used as a hunting park by the kings and nobles of Persia. In 
later times,its very site was forgotten for more than a thousand years, but 
it has been recently recognised. Some huge, shapeless mounds of brick and 
rubbish alone remain to mark the spot once occupied by this vast metropolis. 

9. At Cunax'a, Cyrus the younger was defeated and slain by his brother 
Artaxerx'cs; from hence his Greek auxiliaries, under the command of 
Xen'ophon, commenced the famous retreat of the Ten Thousand. Though 
surrounded by an adverse force of 900,000 men, this heroic band forced 
their way through hostile nations, until they reached a friendly region. 
The extent of the retreat from Cunax'a to Trape'zus, where dagger ceased, 
was about 1100 miles, but the whole expedition included a march of 3500 
miles, and lasted 15 months. 

10. Borsip'pa was noted for its manufactures of linen ; the inhabitants 
ate the flesh of bats, and preserved them smoke-dried. Seleu'cia was founded 
by Scleu'cus Nica'tor, and became the capital of his kingdom ; at one period 
its population amounted to 600,000. The ruins of this city, and that of 
Ctes'iphon, on the opposite bank, are called by the Arabs A1 Modain, the 
two cities. Is, or ASiop'olis, supplied the bitumen used as a cement in 
building. On a lake south-west of Babylon, was Alexandria, or Hi'ra. Sora 
and Apame'a were towns in the southern part of Babylonia ; the latter stood 
at the junction of the Euphrates and Ti'gris rivers. 

Mop No. 5. — What country lay east of Babylonia, or Chaldcea? What 
country lay west? North-west ? What cities lay on the Euphrates River ? 
What city on the Tigris ? At the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris ? At 
what period was a battle fought at Cunaxa ? When did the siege of Babylon 
occur ? What river bounds Babylon on the north-east? What river flows 
through it ? 

Babylon ? What did Alexander resolve to do ? What was the condition 
of Babylon 500 years afterwards? In later times? What alone remain 1 
9. What occurred at Cunaxa? What is said of the Greek auxiliaries? 
Describe the retreat. 10. What is said of Borsippa ? Seleucia ? Ctesi 
Dhon ? Is, or .-Eiopolis, and the other towns ? 


















COLCHIS, IBERIA, AND ALBAN 1A. 


43 


-17- 

C O L/C HIS, IBE'RI A, AND ALBA'NIA. 

1. These countries lay contiguous to each other, and occupied 
the narrowest part of the region extending from the head of the 
Euxine, or Black Sea, eastward to the Caspian Sea. The Cau¬ 
casus are the most elevated mountains in this part of Asia; their 
summits are constantly covered with snow, and they can be crossed 
only by two passes, called by the ancients Cauca'siae Py'lae (Cau¬ 
casian Gates), and Alba'nice Py'lae (Alba'nian Gates). 

2. Col'chis is famous for the voyage of the Ar'gonauts to its shores, in 
search of the golden fleece. This expedition sailed, in the ship Ar'go, from 
Greece, about tiie year 1300 B. C. It consisted of 50 noted individuals, 
under the command of Ja'son. The precise object of the voyage cannot 
now be determined, but it was probably undertaken for the purpose of trad¬ 
ing in gold, a metal which the inhabitants of Col'chis obtained, to some 
extent, by placing sheepskins in the shallow parts of the rivers, where the 
wool became filled with the golden particles washed down from the 
mountains. 

3. The chief rivers were the Pha'sis and the Ba'thys; from the former 
the birds called pheasants were first brought. TheCol'chians were a frugal 
and industrious people, and were supposed to have been originally Egyp¬ 
tians. Dioscu'rias,' Pha'sis and Cy'ta, were the chief towns. Mede'a, the 
noted sorceress, was born at Cy'ta. At JEa. the golden fleece was kept; it 
was fabled to be guarded by a dragon that never slept, and fierce bulls that 
breathed fire. 

4. Ibe'ria separated Col'chis from Alba'nia. It was watered by the Cy'rus 
and its branches. Zalis'sa, and Ilarmoz'ica, were the chief towns; Ibe'ria 
was invaded by Pompey, who defeated the inhabitants in a sanguinary 
battle. 

5. Alba'nia lay along the west coast of the Caspian Sea. Cabal'aca, 
Alba'na, Seta'ra, and Camech'ia were the principal towns. The southern 
part of Alba'nia was a rich, fertile country, and its climate w>as highly 
eulogized. It was invaded by Pompey, an<l afterwards by Trajan. 

MET) I A. 

I 

(j. Me'dia included the upper part of Per'sia; it extended east¬ 
ward from Armenia to Asia, and was bounded on the north bv the 
Caspian Sea. It was for the most part a fertile and well-inhabited 
region, and was famous for its fine breed of horses. 

7. The Medes comprised, at first, six distinct tribes. Dej'oces, 

_ 

Q. 1. Describe the situation of Colchis, Iberia and Albania, l ne Cau¬ 
casus Mountains, &c. 2. For what is Colchis famous? What is said of 

the Argonautic expedition ? The precise object of the voyage ? How was 
gold procured in Colchis ? 3. What is said of the rivers ? The Colchians ? 

Phasis and Cyta? Medea? What was kept at .Ea ? 4. Describe Iberia. 

>. Albania. 6. Media. 7. What is said of the Medes? 8. Of Asty acres ? 




44 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


their earliest king, collected them into villages, and brought the 
nation to submit to established laws. They were long subject tc 
Assyria, but at length uniting with the Babylonians, they over¬ 
threw the Assyrian empire. They then became a conquering 
nation, subdued E'lam, or Persia, and extended their dominions 
westward to the River Ha'lys. 

8. Asty'agcs was the last king of Me'dia. Manda'ne, his daughter, th 
wife of Camby'ses, a Persian nobleman, was the mother of Cy'rus. Ac 
cording to some, the latter was educated at the Median court, and after¬ 
wards reigned jointly with his uncle Cyax'ares; but, according to others, 
he was an object of hatred io Asty'agcs, and on attaining manhood raised 
an army, conquered the dominions of his grandfather, and became king of 
both Me'dia and Pcr'sia, B. C. 559. 

9. On the union of the Modes and Persians, the latter adopted the higher 
civilization and more elegant costume of the former, and the Median lan¬ 
guage became the polite tongue. The northern division of Media was 
called, after Alexander’s time, Atropate'nc, from Atrop'ates, a governor who 
rendered himself independent. His posterity continued to reign after him 
until conquered by the Parthians. 

10. Ecbat'ana, the capital of Media, contained a strongly fortified citadel 
surrounded by seven walls, which were each of a different colour. It 
became the summer residence of the Persian, and afterwards of the Par¬ 
thian monarchs. Here Purme'nio was put to death by order of Alexander. 
And here, too, Hephces'tion, another of his favourites, died. 

11. Ga'za and Ve'ra were the capitals of Atropate'nc. In the former 
Cy'rus deposited the riches captured from Croe'sus; it stood near Lake 
Spauto, the waters of which were both salt and bitter, and destitute of fish. 
West of the lake stood Thebar'mai, the reputed birthplace of Zoroas'ter. 

12. On the shores of the Caspian dwelt the Caspia'ni, or Cas'pii, a people 
from whom that sea, previously called the Mare Hyrca'num, received its 
name. They were of Scyth'ian origin, and, it is said, starved to death such 
of their nation as had attained the age of 70 years. 

Map No. 5.—What sea bounded Colchis on the west? What country on 
the nortli ? On the south ? East ? What towns lay on the coast? In the 
interior ? What mountains bound Iberia on the north ? What country 
south ? East ? What river flowed through Iberia ? What sea bounded 
Albania on the east? What country north ? West? What towns lay on 
he coast ? In the interior ? 


-18- 

PERSIA. 

1. Fbi* rfiA, or Per'sis, was the original country of the Persian*, 
tnd gave name to one of the great empires of antiquity. It lay 
lorth-east of the Persian Gulf, and was surrounded by Me'dia, 

). What occurred on the union of the Modes and Persians ? What is said 
of the northern division ? 10. Ecbatana ? 11. Gaza and Vera? 12. The 

Caspiani ? 

Q. I What is said of Persia ? How was it situated ? What kind of 





PERSIA. 


45 


Susia'na and Carma'nia. It is a region consisting of nigged 
mountains and sandy deserts, interspersed with fertile and well- 
watered valleys. 

2. Under their early monarchs, the Persians were a hardy and 
brave people; but they became luxurious and effeminate, so that 
a mere handful of Greeks, inspired with the heroic courage of 
freemen, was more than a match for the myriads who fought at 
Alar'athon, Platse'a, and Sal'amis. 

3. 'Phe Ma'gi, or Marians, were the priests of the Medes and Persians. 
Zoroas'tcr was the founder, or, according to some, the reformer of their reli¬ 
gion. The sun as well as fire was worshipped, as an emblem of the Deity, 
and the sacred fire in their temples was kept constantly burning. Statues 
and images were forbidden; hence the Persians always destroyed the idols 
of the nations whom they conquered. 

4. The ma'gi believed in a Supreme Being, and they taught that the uni- 
erse is governed by Oroinas'des, the good, and Ahrima'nes, the evil prin¬ 
ciple. The first they believed will finah / prevail, when wars and conten¬ 
tions will cease, and mankind live together as one family. The modern 
Par'sees, Guebres, or fire-worshippers, still cherish this doctrine; but their 
number is small. 

5. The Persians are a very ancient people; their first recorded king 
reigned in the time of Abraham. The Kajan'ides were a race of early 
princes, one of whom, Jem'sheed, about the year 800 B. C., founded Persep'o- 
lis. Cy'rus, 240 years later, rescued his country from the power of the 
Medes, and established the Persian, or third universal empire. This vast 
monarchy embraced a wider extent than any preceding state, and comprised 
the earliest civilized countries: still it does not appear to have produced any 
material advance in knowledge and improvement. 

6. Camby'scs, the successor of Cy'rus, conquered Egypt, and part of Ethio¬ 
pia, his power then extended from India to Lib'ya, and from the Indian Ocean 
to the borders of Scyth'ia. Dari'us, his successor, consolidated and strength¬ 
ened the empire; he divided it into Sat'rapies, or provinces, and appointed 
the tribute which each was to pay into the royal treasury. 

7. The reign of Artaxerx'es Mne'mon was marked by the ineffectual 
revolt of his brother Cy'rus, and the retreat of the Ten Thousand. Dari'us 
Codom'anus, the last of those kings, was defeated by Alexander the Great, 
at Issus and Arbe'la, and was slain 330 B. C., when Persia became a par 
of the Grecian empire. 

8. After the death of Alexander, it fell to the share of Scleu'cus Nica'tor, 
who left it to his successors, the Seleu'cides. About the year 246 B. C., the 
Parthians, an obscure people from the shores of the Caspian Sea, expelled 
the Syrians, and became masters of Persia. The latter remained for 500 
years a province of their empire: when Artaxerx'es, a descendant of the 
ancient Persian monarchs, raised a revolt against the government, achieved 
the independence of his country, and became king. 


country is it ? 2. What were the Persians ? 3. What is said of the Magi ? 

Of Zoroaster? What did the Magi worship? What was forbidden» 
4. What was their belief? What people still cherish this doctrine ? 5. 

What is said of the Persians ? The Kajahides, &c. ? Of Cyrus ? What 
is said of the Persian empife ? 6. Cambyses ? Darius ? 7 Artaxerxes ? 

Mnetnon? Darius Codomanus? 8. What occurred after the death of 

0 



CLASCICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


9. The new state is known as the second Persian empire. Artaxerxes 
governed with vigour and sagacity; one of his first acts was tk? restoration 
of the magi and the ancient religion. His successors are called, from 
Sassan, his father, the Sassan'idae or Sassan'ides. Several of this line of 
princes bore the name of Sa'por: they were active and able rulers, and car¬ 
ried on various wars with the Romans. Subsequently, this tor^" w a« 
conquered by the Saracens. 



Ruins of Persepolis. 


10. Persep'olis, the chief city, is said to have been 25 miles in length, 
but has been long in ruins; it contained the splendid palace of the Persian 
monarchs, which was set on fire by Alexander, at the instigation of his 
mistress. The ruins now called Chilminar', or the forty columns, are sup. 
posed to be the remains of this edifice. Pasar'gadre, the ancient capital of 
the empire, was the favourite residence of Cy'rus, who was buried here. 
The sovereigns of Persia were afterwards crowned in this city, and a part 
of the ceremony of coronation was to put on the regalia which had been 
worn by Cy'rus. 


Map No. 1.—What gulf bounded Persia on the south-west ? What coun¬ 
try lay on the north ? On the east ? On the west ? Point out Persepolis. 
Pasargadce. As-padana. Point out Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor, Armenia, 
Colchis, Iberia, Albania, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Media, Susiana, 
Carmania, Gedrosia, Arachosia, Drangiuna, Aria, Margiana, Parthia, Hyr- 
cania, Bactriana and Sogdiana: these countries, with Persia Proper and 
parts of Scythia and Ethiopia, formed, in the reign of Darius Hystaspes, 
520 B. C., tiie Persian empire. 


- 19- 

SUSIA'NA, CARMA'NIA, GEDRO'SIA, ETC. 

1. Susia'na lay east of Babylonia, and was separated from it 
by the river Ti'gris ; eastward was Persia Proper, and southward 


Alexander ? What is said of the Parthians ? 9. Of the new state ? How 

did Artaxerxes govern ? By what name were his successors called ? What 
name did several of this line bear ? What is stated of them ? 10. Describe 

Perseoolis. Pasargadce. What is said of the sovereigns of Persia ? 






CARMANIA—GEDROSIA. 


4? 


me Persian Gulf. It was an important province of the Persian 
empire, and contained the districts of Elyma'is and Cis'sia. The 
modern name, Khusistan', is merely a corruption of the ancient 
term. 

2. The Choas'pes and Gyn'dcs were its chief rivers ; they were both tribu¬ 
taries of the Ti'gris. The waters of the former were esteemed so excellent, 
that the Persian kings drank no other, and supplies of it were carried with 
them, in silver vessels, on their journeys. Su'sa or Shu'shan, the city of 
lilies, was built on the Choas'pes river, and was a wealthy city; it was without 
walls, but the citadel called the Memno'nia was a place of great strength. 
Su'sa was one of the winter residences of the Persian monarchs. \lcxan- 
der the Great found in it 50,000 talents of uncoined gold, besides silvt. and 
jewels of great value. 


carma'nia. 

3. Carma'nia was a province of the Persian empire, which lay 
between Persia Proper and Gedro'sia. It corresponded nearly with 
the modern province of Kerman, to which it has communicated its 
name. The northern districts were dry and sandy, while the 
southern were noted for their fertility, producing corn and wine 
in abundance. The grapes w-ere particularly excellent; bunches 
being sometimes met with two feet long. 

4. The inhabitants were called the Carma'ni, and were similar to the Per¬ 
sians. Carma'na, the capital, was some distance in the interior. Its name 
is now Kerman. Harmo'zia was on the sea-coast. In the thirteenth cen¬ 
tury, when the Moguls invaded Carma'nia, the inhabitants retired to the 
little island Tyri'nc, to which they gave the name of their town. In more 
recent times, it was distinguished for its commerce, and under the name of 
Ormus, its wealth became proverbial. 

GEDRO SI A . 

5. Gedro'sia lay westward of the river Indus. It is now called 
Beloochistan'. It is a region composed of arid mountains and 
sandy plains. In traversing its deserts, the armies of Semir'amis 
and Cyrus were nearly destroyed ; and the soldiers of Alexander’s 
army suffered intensely by the heat of the climate and the want 
of water. 

6. Fish and turtles are still plentiful on its shores, and form nearly the 

sole food of the people. The ancient inhabitants were called by the Greeks 
Ichthyoph'agi, or eaters of fish, and Chelanoph'agi, or eaters of turtles. 
Their" dwellings, owing to the scarcity of wood, were constructed of tho 
bones offish and the shells of turtles. Near'chus, the admiral of Alexander 
the Great, sailed along the coast of this region in his celebrated voyage from 
India to the Euphrates._ 

Q. 1. Describe Susiana. 2. What is said of the modern name ? Of tne 
chief rivers? Describe Susa. What was it? What did Alexander find in 
it ? 3. Describe Carmania. 4. What is said of the inhabitants ? Of tne 

capital ? Harmozia ? 5. Describe Gedrosia. What occurred in travel sing 

its deserts ? 6. What are still plentiful, &c. ? What did the Greeks call 



CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


a'ria, or aria'na. 

7. A'ria, or Aria'na, lay north of Gedro'sia and east of Media. 
U occupied the whole of what is now Afghanistan', as well as a 
portion of Independent Tartary. The chief divisions were, Mar- 
gia'na in the north, A'ria and Drangia'na in the centre, and 
Aracho'sia in the south. 

8. The whole region was for a time a part of the Persian empire, subse¬ 
quently of the Greco-Bac'trian kingdom, and afterwards it belonged to the 
Parthians. The inhabitants were called the A'rii. The Modes were origi¬ 
nally the same people. The Etyman'der was the principal river, and the 
lake A'ria, into which it flowed, was the largest lake. The Paropami'sus 
mountains extended from east to west through the country. 

9. Margia'na. — Margia'na lay on the north side of the Paropami'sus 
mountains. Though surrounded by deserts, it was a populous and fertile 
country. The vines grew so large that two men could scarcely grasp one 
stem, and the clusters of grapes attained a great size. The Romans who 
were taken prisoners at the defeat of Crassus were sent hither. Many of 
them intermarried with the inhabitants, and hence were unwilling to return 
to Rome when sent for by Augustus. The capital, Antiochi'a Margia'na, 
was built by Antiochus I. where Alexandria, an older city, had stood. 

10. A'ria.— The province of A'ria gave name to the whole region. It lay 
south of Margia'na; it was a fertile and populous district, and was noted 
for the excellence of its wine, which, it was said, would keep for three gene¬ 
rations. A'ria was the chief town. 

11. Drangia'na lay eastward of A'ria. The inhabitants comprised several 
tribes, one of whom, the Agrias'pe, was called by Cyrus Ever'getae (Bene 
factors), because they saved many of his soldiers from perishing in the 
desert. These people formed a little republic, and were greatly superior in 
manners and customs to the surrounding barbarians : hence Alexander con¬ 
ferred several privileges upon them. Agrias'pe was their principal city. 

12. Prophtha'sia, where Alexander caused Philo'tus, the son of Parme'- 
nio, to be put to death, was the chief town of a tribe called the Zarangce'i. 
The Paropamis'adre were a barbarous people, who lived among the Paropa¬ 
mi'sus mountains. From one of their tribes, the Cabol'itse, the modern name 
Cabul is derived. THe Parthians called the province of Aracho'sia India 
Alba, or White India, because the inhabitants, who were of w hite complex 
ion, had been at one time the subjects of an Indian monarch. 


Map No. 1.— P' int out Susiana, Carmania, Gedrosia, Aria, Margiana, 
Drangiana, Arachosia. What gulf lay south of Susiana ? What sea lay 


the people? What is said of their dwellings? Of Ne»rchus? 7. De¬ 
scribe Aria or Ariana. What were its chief divisions ? 8. Of what was 

Ihe whole a part? What is said of the inhabitants ? Of the Etymander ? 
Lake Aria ? Paropamisus mountains ? 9. Describe Margiana. What is 

said of the vines ? Of the Romans ? The capital, &c. ? 10. Describe 

Aria. 11. Drangiana. What is said of the Agriaspe? What did these 
people form, &c.? 12. What occurred at Prophthasia? What is said of 

the Paropamisadce, &c. ? Of Arachosia ? 


\ 




PARTHIA, HYRCANIA, BTC. 


49 




south ofCarmania and Gedrosia? E. What river separated Arachosia and 
Drangiana ? Into what lake did the Etymander river flow ? What river 
bounded Gedrosia and Arachosia on the east? What mountains lay north 
of Drangiana ? What river separated Margiana from Sogdiana ? Point 
out Susa, Harmozia, Pura, Aria. What commander sailed along the coasts 
of Gedrosia and Carmania ? At what time was his voyage performed ? 
How many years is it since that period? 

Map No. 5.—What river bounded Susiana on the west? What rivers 
flowed into the Tigris in Susiana ? What country lay west of Susiana? 
What city lay on the Tigris ? 

-20- 


PARTHIA, HYRCANIA, BACTRIA'NA, ETC 

1. Par'thia was at first a province in the northeast of Persia, 
and bordering on Scyth'ia ; it subsequently became the centre of 
an important empire, which, at the height of its power, B. C. 40, 
extended from the river Euphrates to the Ox'us, and from the 
Caspian to the Arabian Sea. Hecatompylos was the first capital, 
but afterwards Ctes'iphon became the winter, and Ecbat'ana the 
summer residence of the Parthian monarchy. 

2. The Par'thians were a hardy and warlike race, and were 
originally of Scyth'ian origin. They fought • only on horseback, 
and discharged their arrows with unerring precision even when 
on full gallop, and with equal skill whether advancing or retreat¬ 
ing ; so that their flight was often as dangerous as their attack. 

3. They were subject successively to the Persians, the Macedonians, and 
the Syrians; the tyranny of the latter prompted the Parthians, under tlie 
command of Arsa'ces, to rise against them : they drove out the Syrians, and 
established their independence. Arsa'ces then became king, and subjected 
to his arms, first Persia, and subsequently some of the adjacent States. His 
successors continued his career of victory, and thus established the Par'thian 
empire, which existed for almost 500 years. The race of princes who sue 
ceeded Arsa'ces were called, from him, the Arsac'idae. 

4. The Romans had frequent contests with the Par'thians, but never could 
gain any permanent advantage over them. Cras'sus, the colleague of Cse'sar 
and Pompey, was defeated with great loss in Mesopotamia. Phraa'tes, one 
of the Par'thian kings, to obtain the favour of Augustus, restored the Roman 
stan dards and other trophies which had been taken, on the defeat of Cras'sus. 
Tra'jan subsequently conquered a portion of Par'thia, but it was soon retaken. 

5. The constant wars which the Par'thians waged with the Romans, 


Q. 1. Describe Parthia. Its extent. Hecatompylos, Ac. 2. Describe the 
Parthians. Their mode of fighting. 3. To whom were they subject? To 
what did the tyranny of the Syrians prompt them ? What tl en occurred ? 
What is said of Arsaces ? What were his successors called? 4. What is 
said of the Romans? Of Crassus ? Of Phraates? 5. What was the 
effect of the constant wars ? What was Artabanus ? What occurreu m ni? 

5 *> 





60 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


gradually weakened their power and produced internal dissension. Arta,. 
ba'nus was the last king. In his time Artaxerx'es, a commander in his 
service, overthrew the government, and founded the second Persian empire, 
which existed, under his successors the Sassan'idae, until the time of the 
Saracens. 

hyrca'nia. 

6. Hyrca'nia was once an extensive country, but became gra. 
dually restricted in dimensions; it'lay on the southeast coast of 
the Caspian, and from it the latter received its early name, Hyp- 
ca num, or Hyrca'nian Sea. 

7. This country was noted for its tigers and serpents; the southern part 
was fertile in vines, figs, and olives. The inhabitants were of Scyth'ian 
origin, and similar to the Parthians: they had at one time kings of their 
own, but were conquered by the Par'thians, and became a province of their 
empire. Zadracar'ta, or Hyrca'nia, was the capital. 

B ACT RIA'N A. 

8. Bactria'na, or Bac'tria, lay on the northern side of the 
Paropami'sus Mountains. It corresponded to that part of Inde¬ 
pendent Tartary now called Koondooz. On account of its favour¬ 
able position and its fertility, it became at an early period a 
civilized and important kingdom. 

9. It was conquered by Cyrus, and subsequently by Alexander the Great. 
On his decease, it became a province of the Syrian kingdom of Seleucus 
Nicator. Dioda'tus, the Greek governor of Bac'tria, threw off his allegiance, 
254 B. C., to Anti'ochus II., king of Syria, and founded the Greco-Bac'trian 
kingdom. His successors extended their dominions to the Ganges and the 
frontiers of China. About the year 140 B. C., Bactria'na was subdued by the 
Par'thians, since which time it has been almost unknown, and it is not de¬ 
termined whether any traces of its Grecian origin remain. 

10. Bac'tra, the capital, was an ancient and important city ; here Alex¬ 
ander the Great, in a fit of frenzy, murdered his friend Cli'tus, for having 
ventured to prefer the actions of Philip to those of his son. Near to Bac'tra 
was Cari'atae, where the philosopher Callis'thenes was put to death by Alex¬ 
ander, for refusing to pay him divine honours. 

sogdia'na. 

11 Sogdia'na lay between the Ox'us and Iaxartes rivers, and 
is now included in Bokhara or Bucharia: it was a fine, fertile 
region, and was famous for the excellence of its fruits. In remo.* 


time ? 6. Describe Hyrcania. 7. For what was it noted ? What is said 

of the southern par.? Of the inhabitants? What city was the capital? 
8. Describe Bactriana. What did it become, &c. ? 9. By whom was it con¬ 

quered, &c.? What is said of Diodatus? What kingdom did he found? 
What is said of his successors ? Of the extent of their dominions ? At what 
time and by whom was Bactriana subdued ? 10. Describe Bactra. What 

occurred there? At Cariatre ? 11. Describe Sogdiana. To whom was it 

subject, &c. ? 12. What is said of Maracanda ? Nautaca? 



ASIATIC SARMATIA 


51 


ages it was by turns subject to the Assyrians, the Medes, the Per¬ 
sians and the Macedonians. It belonged to the Greco-Bac'trian 
kingdom, and afterwards to the Parthians. 

12. Maracan'da, nowSam'arcand, was the capital; it is situated in a dis¬ 
trict so fertile and beautiful, that the Arabs considered it one of the three 
paradises of the east. It was the metropolis of Tam'erlane’s vast empire. 
In the vicinity was Nau'taca, where Bes'sus, the Persian satrap of Bactria' 
na, who behaved so traitorously to Dari'us, was taken and put to death by 
order of Alexander. Cyrop'olis was built by Cyrus, to mark the utmost 
limits of his conquests in this quarter. Near it was Alexandria, or Alextiw 
dria Ultima, the most remote city founded by Alexander the Great. 

Map No. 1. — What country lay east of Parthia? What country lay 
west ? South ? A. North ? S. Point out Hyrcania, Persia, Carmania, 
Media, Aria, Gedrosia, Arachosia, Drangiana, Margiana, Bactriana, and 
Sogdiana. These different countries with Parthia Proper formed the Par¬ 
thian empire. What mountains bounded Bactriana on the south ? What 
river on the north? What river bounded Sogdiana on the south? On the 
north? What towns lay on the Iaxartes river? Point out Hecatompylos. 
Bactra. Maracanda. The Oxus and Iaxartes rivers flow into the Aral 
Sea. This body of water is supposed to have been unknown to the ancients, 
as no account is found of it in any ancient author. 

-21- 

ASIAT'IC S ARM A'TI A. 

1. Asiat ic Sarma'tia lay north of the Cau'casus Mountains; it 
extended from the Eux'ine Sea and the Pa'lus Maeo'tis to the Cas' 
pian Sea; on the north were the rivers Rha and Tan'ais. The 
interior of the country was but little known, the inhabitants were 
rude and barbarous, yet the Milesians settled commercial colonies 
on its shores as early as 700 B. C. 

2. The principal tribes were the Maeo'tee, Ala'ni, Sir'aces and Achse'i. 
The latter were noted pirates. The Sir'aces were probably the progenitors 
of the modern Circassians. Phanago'ria and Tan'ais were the principal 
Greek colonies; the latter was a great emporium of trade with the Scy th'i- 
ans. The Am'azons, when they left Pontus, settled in the country near the 
mouth and on both sides of the river Rha, after which their names disap¬ 
pear from history. 

scyth'i a. 

3. In remote times, Scyth'ia extended over the whole of North¬ 
ern Europe and Asia, but the name of the European division was 
subsequently changed to Sarma'tia, and the western limits of the 
Asiatic portion were restricted to the river Rha and the Cas'pian Sea. 

4. Scyth'ia comprised two great divisions, separated from each 
other by the Ima'us Mountains, viz., Scyth'ia Intra Ima'um, and 

Q. 1. Describe the position of Asiatic Sarmatia. What is said of the 
interior ? Of the Milesians ? 2. Mention the principal tribes. What is 

said of the Alani and the Siraces? Of Phanagoria, &c. ? Of the Ama- 
«ons ? 3 What is said of Scythia ? What did it comprise ? 4 Wfcaf did 






52 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Scyth'ia Extra Ima'um, or Scythia within, and Scyth'ia beyond 
imaus. The first included a part of Independent Tartary, and 
the other Little Bucha'ria, Soonga'ria, Mongo lia and Thibet'. 

5. The Scyth'ians were divided into many different tribes, the chief part 
of whom led a roving life, and were similar in almost every respect to their 
descendants, the wandering Tarta rs of modern times. They were inured to 
hardship and fatigue, were skilful horsemen and expert in the use of the bow 
* 6. The chieftribes in Western Scyth'ia were the Am'azons, Aor'sii,Noros'sii 
Cachas'sae, Aspis'ii, An'nibi,Choras'mii, Barea'nii, Massag'etae, &c. In East 
ern Scyth'ia were the Sa'cte, Chauranae'i, Cha'tha-Scy'tha-, Ottorocor'r8e,&.e.; 
the latter were noted for the salubrity of their climate, the fertility of their 
soil, and their supposed exemption from nearly all the evils of humanity. 
The foregoing tribes are only a portion of those met with in ancient au¬ 
thors : hardly anything is known of them but their names. 

7. The Massag'etae and the Sa'cce were among the most important of the 
Scythian tribes. Tom'yris, a queen of the former, according to some au¬ 
thors, defeated the forces of Cyrus, who was killed in the battle, which 
occurred in the vicinity of the Caucasus Mountains. Some of the Scyth'ian 
tribes became in time engaged in the caravan trade carried on between the 
commercial nations of Europe and Western Asia, with the people ofSer'ica. 
Turris Lapid'ea, or the Stone Tower, now Tashkent, was a noted station 
for merchants in the country of the Massag'etiE. Indo Scyth'ia, which lay 
east of Bactria'na, corresponded for the most part with Little Thibet'. No 
particulars of its inhabitants are known, except that they consisted partly 
of Indian and partly of Scyth'ian tribes. 

ser'ica. 

8. Ser'ica, the country of the Se'res, lay east of Scyth'ia: it was 
one of the most remote regions known to the ancients, and is be¬ 
lieved to correspond with Northern China. It was the first part 
of the earth in which silk was produced. Se'ra was the capital: 
some suppose that it stood on the spot now occupied by Pekin, 
but its position is a matter of doubt. 

9. The people of India traded at an early period with Ser'ica, and from 
them the Greeks and Romans acquired their earliest knowledge of that 
region, and first received its productions. Silk was carried to Rome in the 
time of Augustus ; it was eagerly bought by the rich, and for a long time 
it sold for its weight in gold. The licentious Heliogab'alus was the first 
Roman who wore a dress wholly of silk; it was mentioned by the authors 
of the time as an instance of almost criminal prodigality. 

10. In the reign of Justin'ian, A. D. 592, two Persian monks brought 
■ome eggs of the silk-worm from the East to Constantinople ; from that 
time the art of producing and manufacturing silk was gradually introduced 

those divisions include ? 5. How were the Scythians divided ? Tr .horn 

were they similar? To what were they inured? 6. Mention tU chief 
tribes in Western Scythia. In Eastern Scythia ? What is said of the Otto- 
rocorrse ? 7. Of the Massagetre and Sacre ? Of Tomyris ? In what did 

some of the Scythian tribes engage ? What is said of Turris Lapidea? 
Of Indo Scythia ? 8. Describe Serica. What was first produced there ? 

What is said of the capital ? 9. Of the people of India ? When was silk 

first brought to Rome, &c.? What is said of Hdiogabalue? 10. Wha! 



1JN V 1 A . 


5a 


into various European countries. The Greeks called the silk-worm Ser: 
hence the term Se'res for the people, and Ser'ica for the country, were deiived; 
these names, however, were unknown to the inhabitants. 

11. Ser'ica is described to have been fruitful and well cultivated, and the 
people as quiet, peaceable and industrious, precisely such as the Chinese 
now are. One of the latest Roman writers mentions a great wall which 
encircled the country of the Se'res, and which, there is no doubt, is the 
same that is now called the Great Wall of China. 

12. The Issed'ones dwelt on the western limits of Ser'ica; they traded is 

the silks and other productions of the Se'res, and transmitted them west¬ 
ward to Europe. Their towns were Isse'don Scyth'ia, and Isse'don Ser'ica; 
the former was on the (Ech'ardes river, the same probably as the Cash'gar. 
Northward were the Abii, a people highly commended by the ancients for 
their justness. Some authors place this nation on the banks of the River 
Tan'ais. Still more remote were the fabulous Hippophagi and Anthro¬ 
pophagi. _ 

Map No. 5 .— What sea bounded Asiatic Sarmatia on the east? On the 
west ? South-west ? What rivers on the north ? What range of moun¬ 
tains in the south? What rivers flowed into the Euxine Sea? The Cas¬ 
pian ? The Tanais River ? Point out the rivers mentioned in the text 
The towns. 

Map No. 1.—Point out the river Rha. The Daix. The Iaxartes. The 
(Echardes. The Indus. Point out the Imaus Mountains. The Ottoro- 
corrre. The Annibi. The Hyperborean or Riphean. Point out the tribes 
mentioned in the text. Point out Serica. On what river did it lay ? Point 
out Sera. The Issedones. Issedon Serica. Issedon Scythia. Point out 
the Abii. 

-22- 

INDIA. 

1. India has been from the earliest times a renowned country, 
and has with the western nations always borne the same name. 
It lay eastward of the river Indus and the Erythrae'an sea, and 
comprised two great divisions: viz., India intra and India extra 
Gan'gem, India within and India beyond the Ganges. The same 
divisions are still recognised by geographers, but are unknown to 
the inhabitants. 

2. The ancients regarded India as the richest and most fertile region in 
the East, and its spices, precious stones, and manufactures were highly 
prized. In Alexander’s time it contained a hundred different nations ; the 
inhabitants were divided into seven castes, though now there are but fout 
The Brachma'nes, or Gymnosophis'tae, were the philosophers and priests, 
and were the same as the Bramins of our day. 

occurred in the reign of Justinian? What then took place? What did 
the Greeks call the silk-worm, &c.? 11. How is Serica described ? What 

is men tii red by a Roman writer? 12. What is said of the Issedones? 
Of their towns? Of the Abii, &c.? 

Q i. What, is said of Tndia 7 Describe its position. Its divisions. 2. 
How did the ancients regard this region ? What did it contain in Alexan- 

5* 




54 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


INDIA INTRA GAN'GEM. 

3. India intra Gan'gem, India within the Ganges, or Hithez 
India, corresponds to Hindostan. Its chief rivers are the Indus 
and the Ganges; westward lay the Erythraean Sea,_and eastward 
the Ganget'icus Si'nus, or Gulf of the Ganges : on the north were 
the Emo'di, and along the western coast the Bet'tigo Mountains. 

4. The southern part of this region was called Dachinab'ades: hence the 
modern term Deccan, or the south. Lari'ce was a district southward of the 
Indus: still further south was Cotton'ara, a district noted for its pepper. 
North of the Dyarda'nes or Burrampoo'ter, in what is now Thibet', the 
tribes called Indapra'thoe and the Iberin'gse resided ; but nothing more than 
their names are known. 

5. Baryg'aza, Muzi'ris and Bar'ace, or Nelcyn'da, were towns famous lor 
their trade by sea with Egypt. This trade commenced in the time of 
Augustus. The ships proceeded from Bereni'ce, and My'os Hor'mos, on the 
Red Sea, to Oce'lis, a great emporium in Southern Arabia, from whence they 
sailed by the S. VV. monsoon to India, and then returned to Bereni'ce in 
about a year after their departure. 

6. On the Ganges stood Palib'othra, a large and populous city, the capi¬ 
tal of the Pra'sii and Gangar'idae. Oze'ne, Plith'ana and Tag'ara, were 
cities in the interior, noted for their extensive commerce. A number of other 
cities, both on the coast and in the interior, are mentioned by ancient 
authors, but of which nothing can now be recognised. 

7. Until the invasion of Alexander the Great, the Greeks knew India 
only by report. Long previous to that time, however, Semir'amis, and then 
Sesos'tris, penetrated thither, and subsequently, Cyrus and Dari'us Hystas'- 
pes carried their arms beyond the Indus. Alexander’s inroad only extended 
to the Hyph'asis river, from the banks of which stream he descended to the 
Indus, and the sea, and then marched westward across the desert of Ge- 
dro'sia to Babylon. 

8. Near the Hydas'pes river Alexander vanquished Po'rus, an Indian 
monarch, and took him prisoner. The latter was wounded in the contest: 
on being asked by his conqueror how he would be treated, he replied with 
dignity, “Like a king.” Alexander, pleased witli his deportment, restored 
his kingdom, and the two princes beeame firm friends. Seleu'cus Nica'tor ' 
next invaded India, and was the first Greek who advanced to the Ganges. 


ders time ? How were the inhabitants divided ? 3. What is said of India 

intia Gangem? Mention its chief rivers. Its position. Its mountains 
4. The southern part, &c. 5. What is said of Barygaza and other cities? 
The trade to Egypt ? 6. What capital stood on the Ganges ? What other 

cities are named, &c. ? 7. What did the Greeks know of India previous to 

Alexander’s invasion? What is said of Semiramis? Sesostris? Cyrus 
&c. ? Describe Alexander’s inroad. His subsequent course. 8. What 
occurred on the Hydaspes river ? What is said of Porus ? His reply to 
Alexander? What then occurred? What is said o'’ Seleucus Nicator ? 



SINARUM REGIO. 


55 



Porus and Alexander. 


The Romans never reached this region as conquerors, being excluded by 
the Partisans, but their commerce, carried on through Egypt and Arabia, 
was very extensive. 

9. Taprob'ana was a rich and fertile island; the inhabitants were said to 
attain to a great age. In the centre was Mount Malea, now Adam’s Peak. 
Sindocan'do, Arubin'gara, and Col'chi were among the chief towns. The 
latter was famed in ancient times for its pearl fishery. It is now called 
Cullatoor, and still retains its ancient fame. 

INDIA EXTRA GAN'GEM. 

10. India extra Gan'gem, India beyond the Gan'ges, or Farther 
India, corresponds to Birmah, Siam, Anam, and Malacca. Its 
great rivers were the Dyarda'nes, Sabar'acus, Se'rus and Coti'aris, 
or Se'nus. The interior was supposed to be rich in different 
metals; hence the names of Au'rea regio, Argen'tea regio, and 
Chalci'tis regio, or the regions of Gold, Silver, and Copper, were 
applied to various inland districts. 

11. The Aurea Chersane'sus is now Malaya, or Malacca. Tts southern 
cape was Magnum Promontorium, or Malei Colon, near to which was Zaba, a 
noted emporium; eastward was the Si'nus Magnus orGrcat Ray; westward, 
the Perimu'licus Sinus, or Gulf, separated the Aurea Chersone'sus from Iaba'- 
dii, an island, supposed to be Sumatra; northward were the Mani'olae and 
Bonce Fortu'nae islands: the former was said to attract and hold fast all ships 
built with iron nails, 


SINA'RUM REGIO. 

12. Sina'hum Regio, or country of the Sinse, or Thinae, was, with 
Ser'ica, the most eastern country known to the ancients. It is 

The Romans ? 9. What is said of Taprobana ? The chief towns ? What 

was Colchi famed for. 10. Describe India extra Gangem. The interior, 
&.c 11. Describe Aurea Chersoncsus. What lay eastward? West¬ 
ward? Northward ? 12. What is said of Sinarum Regio? Of the pnn. 














CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


W) 

supposed to correspond to Central and Southern China, and Cochin 
China. The Seman-thinae, Ura-thinae, and An-thinae were the 
only tribes known. 

13. The inhabitants, like the Chinese, rigidly excluded foreigners from 
their country, yet they traded with the neighbouring nations, and furnished 
them with the Malobathrum; an article the precise nature of which has 
not been recognised in modern times. Thin®, Cattigarra, and Sinarum 
Metropolis, were cities in this region. 


Map No. 1.— Point out the Indus. The Ganges. Dyardanes. Sahara- 
cus. Cotiaris. Namadus. Goaris. Chaberis. What streams flow into the 
Erythraean sea ? Into the Gulf of the Ganges, or Gangetum Sinus ? Into 
the Magnus Sinus ? Point out the Hydaspes. Acesines. Hydraotes. 
Hyphasis. These five rivers water the country now called the Punjab. The 
Hyphasis was the eastern limits of Alexander’s conquests. On its banks he 
built twelve great altars to perpetuate the boundary of his career. Point 
out the cities named in the text. The district of Larice. Cottonara. Da- 
chinabades. The Prasii. The Gangarid®. The Aurea Regio. Argerw 
tea Regio. Chalcitis Regio. The Aurea Chersonesus. Ibadii island. 
Maniolae Is. Bon® Fortun® Is. Point out the Sin® or Thin®, and the 
Barr®. 


-23- 

AFRICA. 

1. Af'rica was, next to Asia, the earliest settled portion of the 
globe. Its inhabitants were the descendants of Ham, the son of 
Noah; and though it became the seat of some of the most civil¬ 
ized and improved States of ancient times, it is now the least 
known and the most barbarous part of the earth. 

2. The term Af'rica is derived from the Romans. It* was at 
first the name of the fertile district in which Car'thage stood, but 
was at length applied to the whole region. It is a Phoenician 
word, and signifies ears of corn. The coast south of Greece, now 
Bar'ca, was in early times termed Lib'ya, by the Greeks, but 
finally they called the whole of Af'rica by the same name. 

3. The ancient geographers supposed that Africa was much 
smaller than Europe, and most of them believed it to be a penin¬ 
sula, situated altogether on the north side of the equator. Ptolemy 
fepresented it as of greater extent; but rejecting the idea that it 
was surrounded by the sea, he erroneously imagined that its east¬ 
ern coast extended so as to join that of Asia. The inland regions 

cipal tribes? 13. Of the inhabitants? Their trade? Name the principal 
cities. r 

Q. 1. What is said of Africa i Of the inhabitants, &c. ? From whom 
was the term derived ? What further is said of it. Of the coast south of 
Greece ? 3. What was the opinion of the ancient geographers ? How did 


¥ 





AFRICA. 


57 


were supposed by the ancients to be unfit for the habitation of 
civilized man, from the heat of the climate and the number of its 
ferocious animals. 

4. The Atlas were the principal African mountains known in ancient 
times. They were thought to be so high that the heavens were fabled to 
rest on them ; hence, in the Greek mythology these mountains were per¬ 
sonified by Atlas, a gigantic Titan, who, on being conquered by Jupite^ 
was condemned to bear the vault of heaven on his shoulders. At the su]* 
posed sources of the Nile are the Lu'noe Montes, or Mountains o r the Moon 
and in the interior were others mentioned by Ptol'emy. 

5. The ancients regarded the Nile not only as the largest river in Africa, 
but as the largest in the world. Like the moderns, they were ignorant of 
its source, and believed that it could not be discovered; hence they made 
use of the proverb, “ Nili caput quserere,” to denote an impossible under¬ 
taking. 

6. The Gir and the Nigir or Niger were rivers in this region, supposed to be 
the same as the Jol'iba and the Djyr or Misselad. The Bag'radas is noted 
as the stream on whose banks Reg'ulus and his army were encountered by an 



Destruction of the Great Serpent of the Bagradas. 


enormous serpent, which they killed with stones thrown from their military 
engines. The Dar'adus and Bambo'tus or Sta'chir, are probably the same 
as the Senegal and Gambia. The Trito'nis, Col'oe, Nigri'tes, Lib'ya and Che- 
loni'des, were the chief African lakes known to the ancient geographers. 

7. The chief divisions of Ancient Africa were, Ethiopia, Egypt, Lib'ya, 
Africa Proper, Numid'ia, Mauritania, Gcetu'lia, Phaza'nia, Aza'nia, or Bar- 
ba'ria, and Zingis. 


Ptolemy represent it, &c. ? What is said of the inland regions? 4. Of the 
Atlas Mo.il to ins? How were they personified ? What other mountains 
are mentioned ? 5. How did the ancients regard the Nile? What is said 

of its so.uce? fi. Of the Gir and the Nigir? The Bagrades? The Da- 
radus, &c.? The chief lakes? 7. Name the chief divisions. 



















o8 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


^ETHIO'PIA OR ETHIO'PIA. 


8. Ethio'pia was an extensive division of Africa, which com¬ 
prised Ethio'pia sub Egypto and Ethio'pia Interior. The foimer is 
now Nu'bia and Abyssin'ia. In remote times it was a populous 
and civilized country. Egypt was not only conquered from hence, 
but is believed to have derived, also, the original of those arts and 
institutions which have rendered her name so celebrated. 


9. It contained the king, 
doms of Mer'oe and Aux'ume, 
the capitals of which were 
cities of the same names. 
Nap'ata and Sir'bitum were 
towns of note in Mer'oe; 
Adu'lis, in Auxu'me, a port 
on the Red Sea, was famous 
for its trade in ivory. The 
city of Aux'ume, pow Axum, 
still exists, and is remarkable 



Ancient Obelisk at Axum, 60 feet high. 


for its antiquities. In the great square, alone, there are forty ancient 
ob'elisks, one of which is eighty feet high. 

10. The kingdom of Mer'oe comprised the peninsula situated between the 
Astab'orus and As'tapus rivers and the Nile. It is called an island by 
ancient writers, and is said to become so still during the rainy season. 
The political power was vested in the priests, who were a sacred caste. 
They chose the sovereign out of their own order, and could put him to death, 
in the name of their gods, at their pleasure. 

11. Like those of Egypt, their temples, obelisks, and other public build¬ 
ings, were all on a gigantic scale, though they do not display in their con- 
struction so high a degree of skill as the former. About the time of our 
Saviour a new State arose on the ruins of Mer'oe, one of the sovereigns of 
which was the Queen Can'dace, mentioned in the New Testament. Hei 
capital was Nap'ata, on the Nile. 

12. Among the rude tribes in this part of Africa, some lived on locusts, 
and some on the flesh of elephants and ostriches; the last two were called 
Elephantoph'agi, and Struthoph'agi. The Troglod'ytes, a race of rude shep¬ 
herds, dwelt in caves. The Blem'myes were fabled to be without heads, and 
to have their eyes and mouths in their breasts. The Pyg'mies were a nation 
of dwarfs, who warred with the cranes, and went to battle mounted on tiie 
backs of goats and rams. Recent travellers in this part of Africa state, 
that the inhabitants report a nation of diminutive stature as still resident in 
the interior. 

13. The Macro'bii (long-lived), one of the most noted Ethiopian nations 
resided south of Mer'oe. These people are described as a handsome and 

8. What is said of Ethiopia ? Of Ethiopia sub Egypto? What was it 
in remote times ? 9. What did it contain ? What is said of the capitals ? 

Of the other towns ? Of Auxume ? 10. Describe the kingdom of Meroe ? 

What is said of the political power? 11. Of the temples, &c. ? What 
occurred about the time of our Saviour ? 12. Describe the mode of life 

pursued by the rude tribes, &c. 13. What is said of the Macrobii ? What 

age was not uncommon ? Of Cambyses ? 









EGYPT. 


59 


rigorous race: they elected the tallest among them to be king. The age 
of one hundred and twenty years, and even upwards, was not uncommon 
among them; hence their name. Gold was so abundant, that fetters for 
prisoners were made, it is said, of that metal. Camby'ses, when in Egypt, 
marched with a large army for the purpose of invading the Ma.co'bii, but 
was obliged to return long before he arrived at their country. 

Map No. 1.— Point out Mauritania, Numidia, and the other divisions. 
What ocean lay west of Africa? What lay north? What lay east of 
Ethiopia ? East of Barbaria and Zingis ? What straits separated Africa 
from Europe ? From Asia ? Point out the rivers Nile, Nigir, Gir, Daradus, 
Bambotus, Massitholus, Astaborus, and Astapus. Into what river do the 
two last flow ? Point out the lakes Tritonis, Nigrites, Libya, Chelonides, 
and Coloe. Point out the Atlas mountains,—Lunse, Maste, Mandrus, Thala, 
and Caphas. What islands lay on the west coast ? Where did Hanno’s 
voyage terminate, according to Gosselin ? According to Rennell ? Accord¬ 
ing to Bougainville ? Point out Ethiopia. Meroe. Auxume. The cities 
of Napata. Meroe. Sirbitum. Adulis. Auxume. The Troglodytes. 
The Macrobii. 


-24- 

jEGYPTUS, OR EGYPT. 



Portico of the Temple of Denderah. 


1. Egypt, in ancient times, was one of the most noted countries 
in the world, and became celebrated at a very early period. In 
the days of Abraham, it was a well-governed and important State. 
In the time of Moses, the Egyptians were renowned for their 
learning, and from them the Greeks derived nearly all the ele¬ 
ments of their knowledge. 

2. Egypt occupies the narrow valley of the Nile for a distance 
of 600 miles southward from the sea. On the north is the Medi¬ 
terranean ; south, lay Ethiopia; east, the Arabian Gulf, or Red 
Sea; we*'., Libya and the Great Desert. Its most important fea¬ 
ture was the river Nile, whose annual inundations fertilized the 
country instead of rain. 

3. The Romans regarded Egypt as the chief granary of their empire, and 

Q. 1. What is said of Egypt ? What was it in the days of Abraham ? 
In the days of Moses ? 2. Describe the position of Egypt. W T hat is its 






























60 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


they obtained vast supplies of the necessaries of life from it. It has been 
also called the gift of the Nile, and the inhabitants, in gratitude for the 
benefits derived from that stream, offered sacrifices to, and adored it, as llie 
tutelar deity of the country. 

4. The effluents of the Nile enclosed the chief part of Lower Egypt, and 
formed it into a region shaped like the Greek letter Del'ta; hence it is called 
the Del'ta, and all districts similarly situated have received the same name 
as, the Del'ta of the Mississippi, the Del'ta of the Gan'ges, &,c. Th 
waters of the Nile flowed into the sea by seven mouths, which are now al 
filled up except two. 

5. The ancient Egyptians were divided into different castes or orders, com- 
prising priests, warriors, agriculturists, merchants, mariners, artisans, and 
shepherds. The priests were the ruling order, and monopolized all the 
power of the State. They were noted for their learning, which they con¬ 
cealed from the common people. The warrior caste, to which the royal 
family belonged, was, next to that of the priests, the most honourable. 

6. Besides directing the religious affairs of the nation, the priests acted 
as astronomers, judges, soothsayers, physicians,and architects. Their hiero¬ 
glyphic characters formed the first kind of writing, and preceded alpha¬ 
betic letters. The religion and government of Egypt were intimately 
blende.’ • there were prescribed forms and ceremonies for every important 
action, which even the sovereign durst not violate or neglect. 

7. The priests adopted the doctrine of the transmigration of the soul, 
while the belief that it will continue as long as the body endures, obtained 

with the people; whence the care displayed in the 
preservation of embalmed bodies, or mummies, and 
the vast expense of excavating tombs in the solid 
rock. The Egyptians were grossly idolatrous. In 
addition to Osi'ris and I'sis, their chief deities, which 
represented the sun and moon, they worshipped the 
river Nile, as well as oxen, dogs, cats, crocodiles, 
serpents, birds of various kinds, and even plants and 
flowers. 

8. At an early period, the Egyptians attained to 
great perfection in the arts. Their woven fabrics 
were highly prized; they excelled in pottery, in 
dyeing, in the working of metals, and in the manu¬ 
facture of paper, which they made from the fibres 
of the papyrus plant. Their architecture was grand 
and imposing, and their pyramids, temples, obelisks, 
Papyrus Plant. and other structures, are the most gigantic ever reared. 


most important feature ? 3. How did the Romans regard Egypt ? What 

has it also been called ? 4. What is said of the effluents of the Nile ? Of 
its mouths ? 5 How were the ancient Egyptians divided ? What is said 
of the priests ? Of the warrior caste ? 6. Besides their religious duties, to 

what else did the priests attend ? What is said of their hieroglyphics ? Of 
the religion and government? 7. What did the priests adopt? What 
obtained with the people ? What resulted from this belief? What did the 
Egyptians worship ? 8. What is said of the perfection attained by the 






EGYPT. 


01 


9. The Egyptians were the first who organized u regular army, and intro- 
duced an exact system of discipline. Their most important force was their 
war-chariots, of which they employed vast numbers in their military opera¬ 
tions. They excelled in archery : the bow was the national weapon; and 
the children of the warrior caste were from childhood instructed in its use. 

10. Mizraim, or Menes,the second son of Ham, established the Egyptian 
monarchy, 4000 years ago. Osyman'dyas, Moe'ris, and Sesos'tris, were 
among the earliest renowned monarchs. Many of the Egyptian kings 
bore the name of Pha'raoh. Sesos'tris was a great conqueror, and subdued 
nearly all Asia as far as India and Bactria'na, and he either introduced 
navigation and commerce into Egypt, or greatly encouraged those branches 
of industry. Pha'roah Ne'cho, at a later period, also patronized navigation 
and commerce, and was the first that attempted to cut a canal from tho 
Mediterranean to the Red Sea. 

11. About the year 1600 B. C., the Hyk'sos, a shepherd nation from Ara¬ 
bia, conquered Egypt. Subsequently, it fell under the dominion of the 
Ethiopians, and then of the Persians, whose government was so oppressive, 
that the invasion of Alexander the Great was hailed as a national deliver¬ 
ance. On the division of the Macedo'nian Empire, the Ptol'emies com¬ 
menced their reign; these enlightened princes encouraged learning, and 
every kind of public improvement. The last sovereign of their race, the 
celebrated Cleopa'tra, committed suicide B. C. 30. Egypt then became a 
Roman province, and so remained for 670 years, when it was conquered by 
the Saracens. 

12. Ancient Egypt was divided into three great sections: viz., Lower 
Egypt, the Theb’ais or Upper Egypt, and the Heptan'omis. The whole 
comprised fifty-three nomes or provinces. The Heptan omis lay between 
Upper and Lower Egypt, and derived its name from the seven nomes into 
which it was divided. In its most prosperous times Egypt is supposed to 
have contained eight million inhabitants, and twenty thousand cities and 
towns. 


Map No. 5.—What sea bounded Egypt on the north ? What gulf or sea 
on the east? What desert lay on the west? What country lay north, on 
the opposite side of the Mediterranean Sea ? What country lay on the 
opposite side of the Arabian Gulf? What lakes were in Egypt ? What 
region bounded Lower Egypt on the west ? On the east ? What desert 
lay on the cast ? Point out the Greater Oasis. The Western Oasis. The 
Lesser Oasis. These Oases were fertile spots in the Libyan Desert, that 
were considered to belong to Egypt. They were all inhabited. The Roman* 
at one time sent convicts thither. 


Egyptians? 9. What were they the first-to organize? What is said of 
theii war-chariots ? Their archery ? 10. What is said of Menes ? Osy- 

mandyas ? Of Sesostris ? Of Pharaoh Necho ? 11. What occurred about 

the year 1700 B. C.? Subsequently? What is said of the Ptol'emies? 
The last sovereign, &c. ? 12. How was ancient Egypt divided ? What 

did the whole comprise ? What is said of the Heptanomis ? Of Egypt in 
its most prosperous times ? 

6 




62 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


25 


EGYPT.-— [CONTINUED.] 


1. The most noted cities in Egypt were Thebes, Mem'phis and 
Alexandria. The first was a magnificent city, and was called 
Hecatom'pylos, from its hundred gates. Its temples, obelisks, 
statues, &c., were all of gigantic size. The population was pro¬ 
bably the greatest of any city that ever existed. Historians state 
that 700,000 men could be equipped for war at one time, besides 
which, 200 armed chariots could be sent from each gate. Thebes 
was destroyed by the Persians almost 2400 years ago. Its ruins 
still cover a space of twenty-seven miles in circumference. 

2. Mem'phis, once the capital of Egypt, was a splendid city, and stood on 
nearly the same ground now occupied by Cairo. It was taken and plun¬ 
dered by Camby'ses about the same time that Thebes was captured, and has 
iong since disappeared. Babylon, called the Egyptian Babylon, stood not 
far from Mem'phis. The inhabitants were Babylonians, brought hither by 
the Persians when they were masters of Egypt. 


3. The well-known Pyramids 
and Sphinx were in the vicinity of 
Mem'phis. The former are about 
sixty in number. The largest is 
from 480 to 500 feet in height, and 
covers an area of 570,000 square 
feet. The Arabs call them GebeJ 
Pharoan, (Pharoah’s Mountains). 
Near the base of the largest pyra¬ 
mid is the Sphinx, a gigantic 
image representing the body of a 
lion, with a human head. All 
except the head and neck is now co¬ 
vered with sand. The whole figure 
is 125 feet long, and 60 feet high. 



The Egyptian Sphinx. 


4. Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great. It was long a 
renowned city, and continued to be a great emporium until within the last 
three hundred and fifty years. Its population once amounted to 600,000. It 
was the capital of the Ptol'emies. Here they collected the noted library of 
700,000 volumes, which was afterwards destroyed by the Saracens. The 
celebrated Pha'ros, or light-house, stood on a small island near the city. It 
is said to have been 500 feet high. It was accounted one of the wonders 
of the world. 

5. Cano'pus, near Alexandria, was noted for a Temple of Sera'pis. Close 

Q. 1. Which were the most noted cities in Egypt? What was said of 
Thebes? Of its temples, statues, &c. ? Of its population ? What is stated 
by historians ? When was Thebes destroyed ? 2. Describe Memphis. 

Babylon. 3. The Pyramids. What do the Arabs call them? Describe 
the Sphinx. 4. What is said of Alexandria ? Of what race of princes was 
it the capital? What is said of the Pharos ? 5. What is said of Cano 





EGYPT. 


63 


to it was Nicop'olis, built by Augustus in honour of his victory over An¬ 
thony ; and in sight of this place, 1800 years afterwards, the battle of the 
Nile was fought between the English and French. Some other noted towns 
in Lower Egypt were Heroop'olis, the residence of the shepherd kings; Sais, 
at one time the capital of Egypt; Heliop'olis, the On or JBeth'shemesh of 
Scripture, famous for its Temple of the Sun. Pelu'sium, the birth-place of 
the geographer Ptol'emy, was so strongly fortified that it was considered the 
key of Egypt. 

6. Arsin'oe, or Crocodilop'olis, lay near Lake Moeris. This lake was dug, 
it is said, by order of Moeris, an ancient monarch, to receive the surplus 
waters of the Nile during its inundations. Near the lake was the famous 
labyrinth. It contained 3000 chambers, one half of which lay above ground 
and the other half below. In the latter the kings and the sacred crocodiles 
were buried. 

7. At Heracle'a, or Heracleap'olis Magna, the ichneumon was worshipped, 
because it destroyed the asp, a venomous kind of serpent, as well as the 
egg s of the crocodile. Antin'oe received its name from Antin'ous, the favourite 
of the Emperor Adrian, who drowned himself here, from a superstitious 
belief, then not uncommon, that such a sacrifice would prolong his patron’s 
life. The emperor, gratified at this instance of devotion, not only built a 
temple to the memory of Antin'ous, but ordered that he should be worship 
ped throughout the empire. 

8. At Lycop'olis the people worshipped the wolf, because a number of 
those animals had once repelled an Ethiopian invasion. Antaeop'olis was 
once an important city. Its ruins are highly interesting. Ptolema'is, aftei 



Ruins of Antsopolis. 


the fall of Thebes, became the chief city in Upper Egypt. Ten'tyra, now 
Den'derah, contains the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt. A pari 
of the ceiling, on which was a representation of the Zodiac, was cut out and 
taken to Paris. The ancient inhabitants were often attacked by those ««f 
Ombos, because the former destroyed the crocodile, while the latter wo». 
shipped it. 

9. Cop'tos was noted for its extensive commerce. A road led hence to 
Bereni'ce, by which the merchandise of India was transported to the Nile. 


pus ? Nicopolis? Of the other towns in Lower Egypt? 6. What is said 
ofArsinoe? Lake Moeris? The Labyrinth? 7. What is said of Heraclea? 
Antinoe? 8. Of Lycopolis? Ptolemais? Tentyra? Of its ancient inha¬ 
bitants? 9. What is said of Coptos ? Latopolis? Ombos? 10. What is said 
of Syene ? What did the ancient geographers imagine respecting Syene 7 








64 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Latop'olis was named from the fish latos, which was caught here abun¬ 
dantly. At Ombos the crocodile was worshipped with great veneration. 
Berenice and Myos Hormos were sea-ports on the Arabian Gulf, noted for 
their commerce with India. 

10. Sye'ne, now Assouan', is still the frontier town of Egypt. It was 
regarded by the Romans as one of the keys of their empire. The ancient 
geographers imagined that it lay directly under the northern tropic; out it 
is now known to be more than half a degree of latitude to the north. Above 
fVe'ne were the islands of Elephan'tme and Phi'lae. The latter contained 



Cataracts of the Nile. 


s* me beautiful temples. Near to Phi'lse was the first cataract of the Nile 
Its height must have been greatly exaggerated by the ancients, as it is now 
omy a rapid, up which small boats may with some exertion be drawn. 

Map No. 5.— In what part of Egypt was Thebes ? Memphis ? Alexan¬ 
dria? In what district was the Delta? The Pyramids? The islands of 
Phil® and Elephantine? What cities were in Lower Egypt ? In the Hcpta- 
noir.is? In the Thebais? What town stood at the head of the Arabian 
Gulf? What towns stood on its western shores? 

t 

-26- 

MAURITANIA AND NUMID'IA. 

I Mauritania, Numid'ia, and Africa Proper, now comprise 
the region called Barbary. It extends along the coast for more 
than 1200 miles. On the north is the Mediterranean Sea; south, 
the Atlas Mountains; eastward, the Syr'tis Major, and westward 
the Atlantic Ocean. 

2. The Atlas range extends throughout the country, from east 
to west. The name is by some derived from Atlas, a Maurita¬ 
nian king and astronomer, who made his observations on the 
heavens from their summits; but by others from Atlas, one of the 
gigantic Titans. They gave name to the Atlantic Ocean, which 
washed the whole of the western coast of the world, as known to 
the ancients. 


What is now known to be the fact? What islands lay above Syene? What 
is said of the first cataract ? 

Q. 1. What did Mauritania, Numidia, &c., comprise? What is said of 
the whole region? 2. Of the Atlas range? From whom is the name 












MAURITANIA. 


65 


3. Under the Carthagin' ians and the Romans, this region was disiin. 
guished for prosperity, population, and wealth. It was one of the chief 
granaries of Rome, and was second only to Egypt in fertility. The Roman 
writers called it the soul of the republic, and the jewel of the empire. 
Many of the wealthy citizens had splendid palaces and country-houses on 
its shores. Corn, wine, and oil were the principal productions. Many wild 
beasts were sent hence to Rome to be exhibited in its amphitheatres. 

4. Maurita'nia was named from its first inhabitants, the Mau'ri. It 
included the whole of what is now Algc'ria, and part of Moroc'co. At first, 
it extended only to the river Mol'ochath, but it afterwards included a large 
part of Numid'ia, and was divided into Mauritania Ceesarien'sis in the 
east, and Mauritania Tingita'na in the west. Subsequently, Mauritania 
Sitifcn'sis was detached from the former. 

5. The chief cities in Mauritania Tingita'na were Sa'la, Lix'us, Zi'lis, 
Tin'gis, Ab'yla and Ru'sadir. Ad Mercu'rios was the most southern Roman 
station. Lix'us was an important city, and carried on a considerable trade 
with Ga'des. In its vicinity, the giant Antae'us is said to have been overcome 
by Her'cules. Tin'gis was the capital, and gave its name to the province 
it became a Roman colony. 

6. Ab'yla was the most northern town: near it was Mount Ab'yla, whicl 
stood opposite to Cal' pe, a high rock on the European side of the Straits ot 
Hercules, now Gibraltar. These eminences were called the Pillars of Her 
cules, or the Columns, because when Hercules, as it is fabled, tore asunde> 
the isthmus which separated the Atlantic from the Mcditerra'nean, h« 
erected them on either side of the Strait, as a memorial of his labour. 

7. In Mauritania Ccesarien'sis were Si'ga, Mi'na, Carten'na, and Ceesare'a 
besides other towns of minor importance. Siga was the capital of Sy'phax 
the king of the Masresyl'ii, before he removed his court to Cirta. Caesare'a, 
called at first Iol, was a Phoenic'ian colony. It was the residence of Boc'- 
chus, and afterwards the capital of Juba’s kingdom. The latter prince 
enlarged and beautified it, and changed its name to Caesare'a, in gratitude to 
his benefactor, Augustus. 

8. Sit'ifis, which gave name to the province of Mauritania Sitifen'sis, 
was situated in a rich, fertile district. Sal'dce, Coba and Igil'gilis were 
towns on the coast. The latter was an Viportant sea-port, and kept up a 
constant communication with the city ot Massil'ia, in Gaul. Southward of 
Sit'ifis, was the Sali'noe Nubonensis, a salt morass, now called the Shott. 
It received many small streams from the neighbouring mountains. 

9. Numid'ia lay eastward of Mauritania. Previous to the 
Roman conquest, it was occupied by two distinct nations; the 
Massy'li in the east, and the Massesyl'ii in the west. The river 
Amp'sagus separated these territories, and the Molochath was at 


derived? To what did these mountains give name ? 3. For what was this 

country distinguished under the Carthaginians, &c. ? What did the Roman 
writers call it? What were its chief productions? From whom was Mau¬ 
ritania named? What did it include? What is said of its extent? Its 
divisions 7 5 Name the chief cities in Mauritania Tingitana. What is 

said of Lixus ? The giant Antaeus? 6. What is said of Abyla, &c 7 Of 
'lie Pillars of Hercules? 7 Name the towns in Mauritania Ceesariensis. 
What is said of Siga? 8. Of Sitifis? Of Igilgilis, &c.? 9 What is 
6* K 



Gfi 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


one time its western boundary. The first were the subjects of 
Masims'sa, and the other of Sy'phax. The connection of these 
monarchs with the Romans, about the year 200 B. C., has pre¬ 
served their names to the present time. 

10. The Numid'ians were a brave and active race, accustomed to endure 
fatigue and hardship. They rode fearlessly, without either saddle or bridle, 
and often made night attacks on their enemies. During the Second Punic 
War, they annoyed the Romans incessantly. Some authors believe that 
tiie Numid'ians were the descendants of the Canaanites, who left their 
country at the time it was invaded by Joshua. 

11. Cirta was the metropolis of Numid'ia, and the residence of Sy'phax, 
Masinis'sa, and their successors, amongst whom Micip'sa contributed most 
to its improvement by inviting a number of Greek colonists to settle in it. 
In the reign of Constantine, it was nearly destroyed in a rebellion; but that 
emperor caused the city to be rebuilt, and then named it after himself, 
which name it still retains. 

12. Hip'po-Re'gius and Cullu were towns on the coast. The first became 
the Episcopal See of St. Augustine. Tagas'te, Tib'ilis, Mas'cula, Ba'gai 
and Tabu'dis were in the interior. Tagas'te was the birth-place of St. 
Augustine. Tabu'dis was an emporium for the interior trade of Africa. 
It lay on the river Sabus, or Zabus, which flowed into a lake at the base 
of the Atlas Mountains. 


Map No. 5 .—What sea bounded Mauritania and Numidia on the north? 
What countries on the south ? What countries bounded Numidia on the 
east? What ocean bounded Mauritania on the west? What rivers flowed 
from the Atlas Mountains into the Atlantic Ocean ? Into the Mediterra¬ 
nean Sea? What river separated Mauritania Ccesariensis and Mauritania 
Sitifensis? What river separated Mauritania and Numidia? A. What 
river formed the southern boundary of Numidia? What mountains formed 
the southern boundary of Mauritania ? What strait separated Mauritania 
from Spain ? What cities lay on the coast of Mauritania ? In the interior? 
What cities lay on the coast of Numidia ? In the interior ? 


-27- 

AFRICA PROPER. 

1 Africa Proper, or Carthage, lay eastward of Numid'ia, and 
nlmost within sight of Sicily. It comprised three provinces: 
Zeugita'nia, Byza'cium and Tripolita na. The latter occupied tho 
modern territory of Tripoli, and the first two what is now Tunis. 


said of Numidia? What river separated the two nations? 10. Describe 
the Numidians. What did they do during the Second Punic War? What 
do some authors believe? 11. What is said of Cirta ? What occurred 
during the reign of Constantine ? 12. What is said of Hippo Regius, and 

the other towns ? 

Q. 1. What is said of Africa Proper ? What did it comprise ? 2. When 




AFRICA PROPER. 


67 


2. Carthage, the chief city of this region, was founded 87S B. C., by 
Dido, a Tyrian princess, who came hither with a colony of Phoenicians. 
At one time it was twenty-three miles in circumference, and had 700,000 
inhabitants. It was for more than seven hundred years the capital of the 
republic of Carthage, which became a great commercial and maritime 
power, and planted colonies all along the coasts of Northern Africa, and 
also in Spain, Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. Its mariners navigated all 
paits of tlae Mediterranean Sea, as well as the western shores of Africa 
and Europe. 

3, The Carthaginians carried on three sanguinary wars with the 
Romans, which are called Punic Wars. They were at last conquered 
by that people. The capital was destroyed, B. C. 146, and the country was 



Destruction of Carthage.* 


reduced to the rank of a Roman province. The people of Carthage, like 
their progenitors, the Phoenicians, worshipped the sun, and offered up human 
sacrifices in their temples. Han'nibal, Hamil'car, Han'no, and As'drubal, 
are the most celebrated Carthagin'ians whose names have reached our times. 

4. The other cities were Tu'nes, now Tunis, where Regulus was defeated, 
Utica, where Cato committed suicide; Zama, where Han'nibal was defeated 
by Scipio; Thap'sus, where Caesar gained a celebrated victory. Clyp'ea, or 
As'pis, served as a stronghold to Regulus in the first Punic War. It was 
built on a promontory shaped like a shield ; hence its name, which signifies 


was Carthage founded ? What is said of its extent and inhabitants ? How 
long was it the capital? What is said of the republic of Carthage? Its colo. 
lonies? Its mariners? 3. What wars did the Carthaginians carry on ? What 
was the result ? The fate of the capital ? Of the country ? What is said of tho 
people ? Of Hannibal, &c. ? 4. What is said of Utica ? Of the other 


* tn the foreground of the engraving is seen Scipio. the conqueror of Carthage, atu 
his chief officers. Kneeling before them is Asdrubal the Carthaginian commander, 
who had gone over to the Romans, and is soliciting their clemency. The wife of 
Asdrubal, indignant at his cowardice, upbraids him in the most bitter terms. She then 
kills her two sons, and throwing herself with them into the burning temple, perishes 
in the dames. 



















68 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


a shield—the one in Greek and the other in Latin. Hadrume'tum, on the 
coast, and Capsa, in the interior, were considerable towns. From Turris 
Hannib'alis, Hannibal set sail for Asia, when banished from Cartilage. 

5 Tripouta'na received its name from its three chief cities: viz. Sabrata, 
CEa and Leptis Magna. The latter was the birth-place of the Emperor 
Severus. The soil in some parts was extremely fertile, but generally it was 
barren and sandy. Eastward was the Syr'tis Major, noted for its numerous 
shipwrecks. The country on its shores was called Syr'tibus Regio. 

6. In the interior of this region dwelt the Lotoph'agi, a race who lived 
on the berries of the lotus. This fruit, if eaten by strangers, would, it is 
said, make them forget their native country. Here, also, were the Nasa- 
mo'nes and the Psyl'li. The former resided for a time on the coast, and 
robbed and sold as slaves all shipwrecked persons. They were at length 
driven by Jhe Romans into the interior. The Psyl'li were noted for their 
skill in charming serpents and curing their bite. 


LIBYA. 

7. Lib'ya was the Greek name for the whole of Africa; but 
was generally used to denote that part of it which lay immediately 
south of Greece. It comprised the provinces of Cyrena'ica and 
Marmar'ica, which lay on the coast, and the oases of Au'gila and 
Ammon, in the desert. The modern name is Bar'ca. This 
"egion was sometimes called Maritime Lib'ya, to distinguish it 
from Interior Lib'ya. 

8. Cyrena'ica, so named from Cyre'ne, its chief city, was founded by a 
colony of Greeks, 630 B. C., and became an important and flourishing State 
In its most prosperous days, it contained the five cities of Cyre'ne, Apollo'- 
nia, Ptolema'is, Barce, and Bereni'ce, whence it was called Pentap'olis, (the 
five cities.) There were other towns of les3 note; one of which, on the 
coast, was Darnis, now Derne. 

9. The country was remarkably fertile, and abounded in corn, wine, and 
oil. Its fruits were of superior quality. Its horses were the finest in the 
world, and often gained prizes in the Grecian games. The most noted pro¬ 
duction was the gum Silphium, which is supposed to have been assafcetida. 
It was made a State monopoly, and was exported to all the neighbouring 
countr.es At Rome it was considered, weight for weight, equal in value 
to silver 

10. Cyre'ne gave birth to some eminent men, amongst whom were Eratos¬ 
thenes, Callim'achus, Aristip'pus, and others. It was also famous for a sect 
of philosophers; hence called Cyrenaic. 'Phis city has been long in ruins: 
A part of these consist of the Necrop'olis, or city of the dead, extending for 

towns? 5. What is said of Tripolitana? Where was Severus born? 
What is said of the soil? Of the Syrtis Major? 6. Of the Lotophagi ? 
The Nasamonies and the Psylli ? 7. What is said of Libya? What did 

•t comprise? 8. What is said of Cyrenaica? By what people, and when, 
vas it founded ? What did it contain ? 9. In what did the country abound ? 
What was its most noted production, &c.? 10. What is said of Cyrene? 



LIBYA. 


69 



The Necropolis of Cyrene. 


a mile and a half along the brow of a hill which overlooks the surrounding 
country. 

11. Marmar'ica is a barren, sandy region, which lay west of Egypt. The 
inhabitants were the Marmar'id®, a race of Nomad'ic barbarians, who were 
famed as swift runners, and for curing the bite of the most venomous ser¬ 
pents. 

12. South of Cyrena'ica and Marmar'ica lay the oases of Au'gila and 
Ammon. The first is still, as it was in the days of Herod'otus, fertile in 
dates. Ammon, or Ammoni'aca Regio was famous for its Temple of Jupiter 
which was celebrated among all civilized nations. It was visited by Alex¬ 
ander the Great previous to his eastern expedition, when the priests pro¬ 
nounced him to be the son of Jupiter. This district was once governed by 
its own kings; but in the time of Alexander, the supreme power was in the 
hands of a chief priest. It is now called Siwah, and has been repeatedly 
visited in recent times. 


Map No. 5. — Point out Zeugitania. Byzacium. Tripolitana. What 
country lay west of the two first-named provinces? What sea lay north 
and east ? What sea lay north of Tripolitana ? A. What river flowed 
through Zeugitania ? What lakes lay south of Byzacium ? What island 
lay east? C. What promontory or cape lay nearest to Sicily ? H. What 
island lay north of Tripolitana ? M. Here, in the town of Girba, the Em¬ 
peror Yibius Gallus was born. What river bounded Tripolitana on the 
east? What towns lay on the coast of Africa Proper? In the interior? 
When was the battle of Zama fought ? The battle of Thapsus ? What 
gulf separates Tripolitana and Cyrenaica? Where is Libya ? Cyrenaica? 
Marmarica ? What sea lies north of these regions ? Where are the cities 


Of its ruins? 11. Describe Marmarica. Its inhabitants. 12. What lay 
south of Cyrenaica and Marmarica ? What is said of Augila ? Of Am 
mon 1 By whom was its temple visited ? What is said of its government ? 





















70 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


from whichCyrenaica derived its name? Point out* the Philenoiusi Arre. 
The river Lathon. The Paliurus. The Cyrenei mountains. Bsecolicus 
mountains. Bascisi mountains. The oasis of Augila. Of Ammon. 

- 28 - 

LIB'YA INTERIOR. 

1. Lib'ya Interior included Gretu'lia, nearly all the Grea 
Desert, and the countries now called Soudan and Senegam'bia 
Some contend that the ancients knew nothing of this region beyond 
the northern edge of the desert, while others believe that they 
were as accurately acquainted with it as the moderns were, pre- „ 
vious to the time when Park made his discoveries. 

2. GjEtu'eia, now the Beled el Jerid, or Land of Dates, is a dry and 
almost desert country, partially watered by streams that descend from the 
Atlas. The people of this region were a roving, unsettled race, and com¬ 
prised several different tribes, of which some occupied the oases of the 
Great Desert, and some were intermingled with the Ethiopians, further to 
the south. One of the most important tribes was the Dar'ae Gaetulia. 

3. Piiaza'nia (now Fezzan) is an inland country, or oasis, surrounded by 
deserts. The inhabitants were called Garaman'tes. They fought in war- 
chariots ; and were a terror to the neighbouring tribes from their cruelty 
and oppression. For a long period they were allies of the Carthaginians, 
and carried on an extensive trade with the interior regions, similar to the 
caravan trade of our times. The chief town of Phaza'nia was Gar'ama. 

It is now called Germa. Its ruins have been visited by recent travellers. 

4. The Great Desert was called Deserta Lib'ya Interior is (Interior 
Lib'yan Desert), and also the Great Lib'yan Desert. It was often compared 
to a leopard’s skin, from the oases scattered, like spots, over its surface. It 
is doubtful whether the ancients were acquainted with the full extent of the 
desert; but they had a knowledge of the northern and eastern oases, and 
probably of some of the most available routes across it to the southward. 

5. On the sea-coast were the Cana'rii, Autol'oles and Peror'si, rude tribes, 


Q. 1. What did Libya Interior include ? What do some contend ? What 
do others believe? 2. Describe Gaetulia. The people. 3. Describe Pha- 
zania. What is said of the inhabitants? Their trade? 4. What is said 
of the Great Desert? What is doubtful? Of what had the ancients a 
knowledge? 5. Name the tribes who lived on the coast. What is said of 


* The Phileno'rum Arce were two altars, which stood on the eastern bounds of tne 
Carthaginian Republic, and were erected from a circumstance thus related by ancient 
authors. In a dispute between Carthage and Cyre'ne respecting territorial limits, it 
was agreed that two individuals should start from the capital of each country at the 
same time, and that the future boundary should be established wherever they might 
meet. The Carthaginians chose two brothers, named Phile'ni, who used such diligence 
in their journey that they had advanced far within the territory of the Cvrene before 
they met the rival party. The Cyreneans were so enraged at tlieir progress, that they 
gave them the choice, either of recommencing their journey , or of being buried alive 
on the spot. They chose the latter alternative; and their country, in admiration of 
their patriotic devotion, and to commemorate the event, erected those altars over their 
remains. 






ETHIOPIA INTERIOR. 


71 


«f which nothing is known but the names. The countries immediately 
south of the Great Desert, now called Soudan' and Senegam bia, were inha. 
bited by the Nigri'tae, Mel 'ano-Gcetu'li, Leu'co-iEthi'opes, Hespe'rii-iEtk opes, 
and Cali'taj. The chief rivers were the Gir and the Nigir. Their position 
and identity have excited much learned discussion; but it is now generally 
believed that they are the same as the Joliba,and Djyr or Misselad, of Sou 
dan. Pliny and Ptolemy both describe the Nigir, in particular, as a great 
river like the Nile, overflowing and fertilizing the country in the same man¬ 
ner, and with animals and productions of the same kind in its waters and 
on its banks. 

6. The principal lakes of Interior Lib'ya were, the Nigri'tes, Cheloni'des 
and Lib'ya. The latter is supposed to be Lake Tchad. Various towns are 
mentioned by Ptolemy, but none of them can now be recognised. Nigi'ra- 
Metropolis, Gira-Metropolis, Is'cheri, Tagama, and Thuppse, are some of 
those named. 

7. The Mandrus, Caphas, and Thala, were mountains supposed to form a 
portion of the great chain that is now known to extend across Africa from 
east to west. That part in which the Nile was supposed to rise, was called 
by Ptolemy the Lu'riae Montes (Mountains of the Moon), and the name is 
still retained. 

8. The Fortuna'ta: Insult, or Fortunate Islands, now the Canaries, 
derived their names from their delightful climate, and the abundance of 
their fine fruits, and other products. The ancients described them in the 
most exaggerated terms, and believed them to be the islands of the blessed, 
or Elysium. Centu'ria lay nearest the African coast; Cana'ria was noted 
for its large dogs, and Purpu'rise for its purple dye. Niva'ria is now Tene- 
riffe. Its lofty peak is always covered with snow ; hence the name of the 
island. Hi'ero, or Ferro, was the most western of these islands. The ancient 
geographers chose it as the first meridian. They reckoned their longitude 
from it; and it is still occasionally used for that purpose. Further south, 
was the island of Cer'ne. Here Hanno, in his celebrated voyage of disco- 
very, planted a Carthaginian colony; it was long held by that people as a 
commercial depot. 

JETHIO'PIA, OR, ETHIO'PIA INTERIOR. 

9. Ethio'pia Interior was the most remote part of Africa 
known to the ancients. The inhabitants were called iEthi'opes 
Anthropoph'agi. They were a race of cannibals. Here some 
geographers place Agyzymba; a country of which nothing more 
is known than that it was reported to be the southern limits of a 
Roman expedition. Others suppose it to be the country now 
called Ag'ades, or Agdass, an oasis on the Southern edge of the 
Oesert. 

10. Azania, or Barbaria, and Zingis, now A'jan and Zanguebar', were 

tire countries south of the Great Desert ? Of the chief rivers ? What ii 
now generally believed ? What do Pliny and Ptolemy both describe ? 6 

What is said of the lakes ? The towns ? 7. What is said of the moun 

tains ? 8. From what did the Fortunate Islands derive their name ? Hov' 

did the ancients describe them ? What is said of Centuria ? Canaria T 
Purpurise? Nivaria? Ferro? Cerne? 9. What is said of Ethiopia Intenor I 
Of the inhabitants? Of Agyzymba? 10. What is said of Azama tno 



CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


countries lying on the Indian Ocean, vaguely known to the ancients, 
Several ports on their shores were frequented by the Egyptians, Greeks, 
and Romans, for commercial purposes. Cape Prasum was the most distant 
point known in this quarter; from whence the land was erroneously believed 
to extend eastward until it joined the coast of India. 

11. Cinnamomif'era Regio, or Aromatoph'orus Regio, was an interior 
district, fertile in myrrh, frankincense, and spices. It bears the same pro- 
ductions at the present day, and is known as the country of the Somauli 
The principal tribe was the Sal'athte. Avali'tcs, the chief town, gave name 
to the great bay which extends hence to the coast of Arabia. 

Map No. 1.—Point out Gaetulia. Phazania. Agyzymba. The Great 
Libyan Desert. The Gsetuli Darae. Garamantes. Nasamones. Nobatae. 
Canarii. Autololes. Perorsi. Nigritae. Melano Gaetuli. Hesperii /Ethi- 
opes. Calitae. Where is the Daradus river ? The Bambotus. The Mas- 
sitholus. The Nigir. The Gir. The Nile. Where is the Nigrites Lake ? 
Lake Libya. Chelonides Lake. Point out ^Ethiopia Interior. Cinnamo- 
mifera Regio. Barbaria, or Azania. Zingis. Point out the -Ethiopes An¬ 
thropophagi. Salathae. Where was Aromata Pr. ? Tabae Pr. ? Prasum 
Pr. ? Dioscoridis Is.? Menuthias Is.? The full name of this island is 
Eitenediom-menouthesais; but is usually contracted into Menuthias. 


-29- 

EUROPE. 

1. Europe is the smallest, and it was also the last settled, of 
the great divisions of the eastern continent. The name, which 
was at first applied to a small district in Thrace, is supposed by 
some to have signified white, from the light complexion of the 
inhabitants, and by others the west, because the whole region lay 
west of the first-settled parts of the earth. According to the 
myfhology of the poets, the term was derived from Europa, the 
daughter of a Phoenician king, whom Jupiter, influenced by love, 
carried off, under the shape of a bull, across the sea, to Crete. 

2. The ancients were acquainted with only the one half of 
Europe. Scandina'via they supposed to be a group of islands 
lying in the Coda'nus Sinus, or Baltic Sea. The unexplored 
northern and north-eastern regions they assigned to the fabled 
Hyperboreans. The countries bordering on the Euxine, or 
Black Sea, were in early times considered to be a part of fe^ythia 
but they were subsequently included in Sarmatia. 

3. Of the first settlement of this region, nothing now can be ascertained. 

Zingis? Of Cape Prasum. 11. Describe Cinnamomifera Regio, &e. The 
principal tribe, &c. 0 

Q. 1. What is said of Europe? Of the name? From what was the 
term derived ? 2. What knowledge had the ancients of Europe ? Of 

Scandinavia ? What is said of the northern and north-eastern regions ? 
Of the country bordering on the Euxine ? 3. What were the Celts ? What 




EUROPE. 


73 


The Celts were among the earliest known inhabitants. Among these people 
the nobles possessed great power and influence, and they formed a national 
assembly for the discussion of public affairs, but the lower class were 
regarded almost as slaves. Few of them tilled the ground; the greater part 
subsisted on the produce of their flocks and herds, or by hunting. 



Stonehenge. 


4. The priests were called Druids: they were also the poets, philosophers, 
and teachers of the Celts; and their authority in the State was almost 
unlimited. They taught the immortality of the soul, its transmigration 
through different bodies, and likewise the nature and properties of natural 
productions. The Druids worshipped in the open air. Some of their tern- 
pies, which were merely circles of very large, rough stones set up on end, 
still exist, as at Stonehenge, in the south of England, and at Stennes, in 
the Orkney islands. 

5. The Druids regarded the oak as a sacred tree, and planted thick groves 
of it around their dwellings; but the misletoe, a parasitical plant, which 
grows on various trees, was, when found growing on an oak, considered by 
them the holiest object in nature, and was held in peculiar veneration. The 
religious worship of these people was cruel and barbarous. They offered 
human sacrifices to their gods, and predicted future events from the manner 
in which the blood flowed from the victims. 

6. The Celts were divided into numerous tribes. Some of them painted 
and tattooed themselves, and some were cannibals. They were a people of 
gigantic size, and great bodily strength; with yellow or reddish hair, and 
bright blue eyes. In battle, they were fierce and impetuous, but were des¬ 
titute of military order and discipline. In the progress of Roman conquest, 
nearly all the tribes of this race were finally subdued and civilized. The 
language of the Celts still exists in the Gaelic, the Irish, the Welsh, and the 
Basque, which are all dialects of the same original tongue. 

7. The Greeks were the most distinguished of the European nations. 
They became eminent for their genius, love of liberty, and heroism. The 
fine arts, painting, poetry, and architecture, reached among them a degree 
of excellence which they have not since attained; and in each the finest 
models for imitation were left, which has served to form the basis of modern 
taste and knowledge. The language of the Greeks is the most perfect ever 
spoken; it comprehends the finest productions of the human mind, and is 
he most copious, flexible, and harmonious in existence. 

8. Subsequently, the Romans rose to power and distinction: they subdued 

ib said of the nobles ? Of the lower class, &c. ? 4. What is said of the priests, 
or Druids ? What did they teach ? Describe their temples. 5. What is 
said of the oak ? Of the misletoe ? Of the religious worship of these ^ 
people? 6. How were the Celts divided? Describe their appearance. 
Their conduct in battle, &c. What occurred during the progress of Roman 
conquest ? What is said of the language ? 7. What is the character of the 

Greeks? What is said of the fine arts, &c.? Of the Greek language ? 

8 Wha«, is said of the Romans ? What occurred in process of time ? 

7 




74 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


the divided Greeks, and transplanted their learning and refinement to the 
Italian soil. In process of time, the whole of Central and Southern Europe, 
from the Atlantic Ocean to the Euxine Sea, was annexed to the dominions 
of Rome. Agriculture was then introduced and encouraged, and flourishing 
cities were founded among tribes once fierce and barbarous. The Christian 
religion, also, as it spread its benignant doctrines over European countries, 
became a powerful instrument in their civilization. 

9. But with the decay of the empire, occasioned chiefly by its separation 
into Eastern and Western, a great change was produced. The barbarian 
nations, no longer held in check by the discipline and valour • r the legions, 
poured in from the north and the east, and ravaged all parts of the empire 
with fire and sword. The people were everywhere enslaved or exterminated, 
the cities were laid waste; the monuments of art levelled with the dust; 
and the civilization and policy of Rome were replaced by barbarism and 
ignorance. 

10. The chief divisions of Europe, in ancient times, were Greece; Italy; 
Hispa'nia, or Spain ; Gaul, or Gal lia; the British Isles; Germa'nia, or Ger- 

, many; Scandina'via; Da'cia; Mce'sia, and Illyr'icum. Many of the rivers 
and mountains retain their ancient names, with some slight alteration. The 
principal are the Rha, Tan'ais, Borys'thenes, Ister, or Danu'bius, Pa'dus, 
Rhod'anus, Ibe'rus, Tagus, Du'rius, Li'ger, Seq'uana, Tam'esis, Sabri'na, 
Rhe'nus, Albis, Via'drus, and Vis'tula. The mountains are the Pyrenees, 
Ilip'ula, Maria'nus, Canta'brian, Alpes, or Alps, Apenni'nus, or Apennines, 
Car'pates, Hee'mus, Sevo, and Hyperbo'rean, or Riphe'an mountains. Also, 
the volcanoes iEtna and Vesuvius. 


Map No. 1.—Point out the countries named in the text. The chief rivers. 
The lengths in miles. The chief mountains. Their heights in feet. 

The rivers, &c., that are not on Map No. 1 will be found on Map No. 5. 
What ocean lay west of Europe ? What sea on the south ? What strait 
separated Europe from Africa ? What sea lay between Italy and Illyricum, 
or Illyria ? Between Greece and Asia Minor ? East of Mcesia ? What 
sea or lake lay north-east of the Chersonesus Taurica ? P. M. What sea 
lay north of Germany ? North-west of Nerigonia ? North of Spain ? 

THRACE, OR THRA'CIA. 

1. Thrace, or Thra'cia, extended westward from the Euxine 
sea to the river Nestus, and southward from the Hse'mus moun¬ 
tains to the Propon'tis and the Mge'an sea. It was a wild, rugged 
region, and was once considered to include all the countries that 
lay north of Greece. It was therefore represented as the residence 
of Boreas. Thrace was conquered by Philip of Macedon, and 
continued to be governed by his descendants until the time of the 

What then followed ? What is said of the Christian religion ? Of the 
decay of the empire ? What is said of the baibarian nations ? What did 
they do ? 9. What occurred to the people ? The cities, &c. ? By what 

were the civilization and policy of Rome replaced? 10. Name the chief 
divisions of Europe. The principal rivers. The principal mountains 

Q. 1, Descrioe the position of Thrace. What was its character, &c. ? 




THRACE. 


75 


Roman conquest It was then, for the first time, considered to bo 
a part of Greece. 

2. Colonies were settled, at an early period, on different parts of the sea- 
coast, by the Greeks, and the country was found to contain rich meadows 
and corn-lands. It abounded in mines, and its horses rivalled those of 
Thessaly. The principal mountains were the Hae'mus and the Rhod'ope. 
The latter was the reputed birth-place of Mars. The He'brus was the 
largest river. On its banks Or'pheus is said to 1 have wandered, and to have 
played with such delightful melody, that the wild beasts listened to him, 
and the trees and mountains moved in cadence to his music. 

3. Among the cities of Thrace was Abde'ra, notorious for the stupidity 
of its inhabitants. It gave birth, however, to Democ'ritus, the laughing 
philosopher^and also to Protag'oras, noted in Athens for his eloquence. 
Near it was the residence of Diome'des, king of the Bis'tones, who fed his 
horses on human flesh, and was slain by Hercules. At Sestos, on the Hel 
lespont, Xerxes placed the bridge of boats over which his vast army passed 
on their march to Greece. Here, also, Lean'der was drowned, in swimming 
to the opposite town of Aby'dos to visit Hero, his mistress. 

4. Byzan'tium, a Greek colony, was built at the entrance of the Thracian 
Bosphorus. It was called Chrysoc'eras (the Golden Horn), from the beauty 
of its situation. The Emperor Constantine made it the capital of the 
Roman empire, under the name of Constantinople. At iE'gos Pot'amos, the 
Athenian fleet was defeated by Lysan'der, a Spartan. From the vicinity of 
Heracle'a, on the Propon'tis, a wall, forty-eight miles in length, was built to 
the Euxine sea, by the Emperor Anastasius, to guard the capital from the 
attacks of the barbarians. It was called Macron Tichos (the Great Wall). 

5. Philippop'olis was named after Philip, the father of Alexander. Adrian- 
op'olis and Trajanop'olis, on the same stream, and Nicop'olis, on the Nestus, 
have all retained their ancient names. At Adrianop'olis, Valens was routed 
by the Goths, A. D. 378. This was the severest defeat experienced by the 
Romans since the time of Can'nae. On the coast of the Euxine were Apol- 
lo'nia and Salmydes'sus. The first was noted for its temple, containing a 
cglossal statue of Apollo. It was carried to Rome by Lucul'lus. Salmydes'¬ 
sus was noted for shipwrecks. The adjacent coast was reckoned dangerous 
to mariners, and was called Salmydessum-Littus. 


MACEDO'NIA. 

6. Macedon, or Macedo'nia, was the kingdom of Philip and 
Alexander. It lay west of Thrace, and on the south side of the 
Hae'mus mountains. It was for the most part a rough, woody 
region, the chief riches of which consisted in mines of gold and 


What is said of its conquest ? 2. Of its settlement by the Greeks ? In 
what did it abound ? What is said of its horses ? Name the principal 
mountains. What is said of the rivers ? Of Orpheus ? 3. For what was 

Abdera notorious ? To whom did it give birth ? What is said of Diome- 
des ? Of Sestos ? 4. Of Byzantium ? ASgos Potamos ? What extended 

from the Propontis to the Euxine Sea ? 5. What is said of Philippopolis, 

&c. ? What took place at Adrianopolis ? What is said of Apollonia and 
Saimydessus ? 6. What was Macedon ? Describe its position. Its cha- 

* 



7G 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


silver j but, on the coasts, wine, oil, and fruits were produced in 
abundance. 

7. The limits of this country varied at different times : At first its west¬ 
ern boundary was the Canalo'vii, or Pindus mountains; but, subsequently, 
»t was extended to the Adriatic sea, and included the southern part of Illyr'- 
icum. It was for a long time hardly considered a part of Greece, and, until 
the days of Philip, was regarded as of little importance. That wily prinu® 
having added Thrace, Epi'rus, and Thessaly to his domains, took advantaj- 
of the domestic commotions of the Greek States, and, in the battle of Cheer 
one'a, B. C. 338, brought them all under his control. 

8. His son Alexander afterwards subdued a large part of Asia; and, by 
an uninterrupted series of victories, for ten successive years, became master 
of half the world. After his death, his vast empire was divided; Macedo¬ 
nia was soon restricted to its ancient limits, and, after a time, lost its 
supremacy over Greece. At length, Per'seus, the last of Philip’s descend¬ 
ants, having taken up arms against Rome, was totally defeated by Pau'lus 
iEmil'ius; and the Romans took possession of the country. 

9. The principal mountains in Macedonia were the Hse'mus, Canalo'¬ 
vii, Cis'sus, and Cambu'nii. The largest rivers were the Dri'lo, Ao'us, 
Haliac'mon, Ax'ius, and Stry'mon. In the south-east, was Mount A'thos, 
now famous for its monasteries. Xerxes caused a canal to be cut across the 
narrowest part of the peninsula, on which the mountain stood, and sailed 
through it with his fleet to Thessaly. This work, it is said, can still be 
traced. 

10. The chief towns of Macedonia were Edes'sa, the first capital, and Pel'la, 
the capital, and native place, both of Philip and of Alexander the Great. 
Berse'a, a very ancient city, is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. 
Thcssaloni'ca was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. Here 
Cicero lived when he was banished from Rome. To the inhabitants St. 
Paul wrote two of his epistles. This city was once called Therma, and 
gave its name to the Therma'ic, the gulf on which ii stood. Potidae'a, or 
Cassan'dria, Olyn'thus and Amphip'olis, were noted in the wars waged be¬ 
tween Philip and the Athenians. Singus gave name to the Singit'ic, and 
Toro'ne to the Torona'ic gulf. 

11. Pyd'na was noted for tfte final defeat of the Macedonians by the 
Romans. Philip'pi was named after king Philip. Here Brutus and Cassius 
were defeated by Antony and Augustus. ApoJlo'nia was famous for its 
schools; here Augustus was educated. Dyrrach'ium, previously called Epi- 
dani'nus, was the common landing-place from Brundu'sium, on the opposite 
side of tiie Adriatic sea. 

12. At Metho'ne, which Philip had besieged, he lost his right eye by an 
arrow, shot from the walls by Aster, a skilful archer. On the arrow was 
this inscription—“ To Philip’s right eye.” Philip caused the arrow to be 
shot back into the town, with these words attached to it: “If Philip takes 
Metho'ne, Aster shall be put to death;” which was accordingly done on the 

raeter, &c. 7. What is said of its limits? Of Philip? Of Alexander? 

What occurred after his death? What is said of Perseus? 9. Mention 

the principal mountains. The largest rivers. What is said of Mount 
Athos? Of Xerxes ? 10. What is said of Edessa? Of Pella?' Bcreea ? 

Thessalonica ? 11. What is said of Pydna? Dyrrachium? Brundu- 

sium ? 12. What occurred to Philip at Methone? What, then, did Philip 

do ? What is said of Stagyra ? 





V 


GREECE. • 77 

lurrender of the city. Stagy'ra \Vas the birth-place of Ar'istotle; hence 
called the Stagy'rite. He was a noted philosopher, and the tutor of Alex¬ 
ander the Great 


Map No. 5.—What seas lay south of Thrace? What mountains lay 
north ? What river bounded Thrace on the west ? What mountains lay in 
the south ? Point out Abdera. Byzantium. Heraclea. Apollonia. Salmy- 
dessus. Adrianopolis. Philippopolis. What mountains separated Macedonia 
from Meesia ? What river separated it from Illyricum ? What river from 
Epirus ? What river from Thrace ? What sea bounded Macedonia on the 
west ? On the south ? Point out Philippi. Neapolis. Amphipolis. ApoU 
Ionia ? Dyrrachium. 

Map No. 2.—Point out the Thracian Bosphorus. The Hellespont. The 
Macron Tichos. Sestos. Doriscus. Here Xerxes numbered his vast host 
after the passage of the Hellespont. When were battles fought at Algos 
Potamos and Adrianopolis ? 

Map No. 3. — Point out the Thermaic gulf. The Strymonic. Singitiu. 
Toronaic. Point out Mount Athos. Canalovii mountains. Cambunii 
mountains. Cissus mountains. Point out Pella. Thessalonica. Stagyra 
Methone. Pydna. Potidaea, or Cassandria. • Olynthus. 


GREECE, OR HELLAS. 

1. Greece, or Hellas, the country of the Greeks, was the chief 
seat of learning and refinement at a period when nearly all other 
European countries were involved in gross barbarism. Though 
the most celebrated region of ancient times, it was of very moderate 
extent; ana did not, excluding the more distant islands, exceed in 
area half the Sidle of Pennsylvania. 

2. It comprised a peninsula wholly hounded by the sea, except 
on the north, where Macedonia separated it from the rest of 
Europe. Eastward, was the iEge'an* westward, the Io'nian; and 
south-eastward the My no an sea. On the north, were the Cam- 
bu'mi, the Tu'maius, and the Acro-Cerau'nii mountains. In almost 
every quarter, the surface consists of rugged mountains, interspersed 
with valleys, some of which are rich and fertile. The gulfs and 
harbours are numerous, and indent the coast on all sides, affording 
every facility for navigation. The climate is mild and pleasant, 
but varies, to some extent, as mountain, plain, or valley predo¬ 
minate. 

3. In its infant state, Greece was inhabited by naked savages, scarcely 
superior to the beasts of the foiest, living on herbs and roots, and sheltering 
themselves in caves and hollow trees. The first improvement in their con- 

Q. 1. What is said of Greece ? Of its extent? 2. What did it comprise, 
&c. ? What is said of its bounds ? What mountains lay on the north ? 
What is said of its surface ? Of the gulfs, &c. ? Of the climate ? 3. What 
is said of Greece in its infant state ? What was the first improvement in 

7 * 

* / 




78 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


dit’on was the exchange of their ancient food for the more wholesome acorn 
They then built themselves huts, and covered their bodies with the skins ot 
animals. 

4. The inhabitants were at length gradually formed into little States; and 
were governed for the most part by petty princes, whose rule was often des¬ 
potic. To this period, called the heroic age, belong the exploits of Hercules, 
The'scus, Mi'nos, and other heroes, exalted into demi-gods for the zeal with 
which they redressed and punished oppression. Until the Trojan war thf 
Greeks had no common bond of union, and hardly considered themselves a* 
one people. That event brought together the warriors of the different 
States—made them known to each other, and laid the foundation of their 
national greatness. 

5. Subsequently, the desperate contests of the Greeks with the great 
monarchs of Persia served to unite them more closely; and the splendid 
victories of Mar'athon, Sal'amis, and Platse'a, raised the^national enthusiasm 
to the highest pitch. Greece then took the lead among the nations of the 
earth ; and, though often wasted by internal dissensions, she added to her 
military renown that of carrying eloquence and the arts to a perfection 
before unknown. 

6. Under Alexander the Gjeat, the power and dominion of the Greeks 
were extended to the most remote regions then known ; and, for a time, the 
laws, the learning, and the language of Greece prevailed from Egypt to 
India. The conquest by Rome put an end to the political existence of 
Greece; but the latter subdued in a measure even her conquerors. Her 
fame in arts and eloquence remained undiminished, and the greatest of the 
Romans, and all who aspired to learning, came to study in her schools. 

7. The Turkish, or Ottoman invasion finally extinguished in Greece 
everything that remained of her ancient greatness. The Greeks were sub¬ 
jected to the most grievous oppression, and were reduced, for almost four 
centuries, to a condition little short of slavery. At length, partly through 
their own exertions, and partly through the assistance of the great European 
powers, this interesting people is now independent. 

8. The earliest known inhabitants of Greece were the Pelas’gians, who 
founded the kingdom of Sic'yori about the time of Abraham. Two centuries 
later, they founded Ar'gos. They were a widely spread people, and migra¬ 
tory in their habits; hence the Athenians called them “ storks.” About the 
year 1400 B. C., these, people were expelled by the Helle'nes, who afterwards 
became so eminent for their genius, learning, and taste. From them the 
country was called Hel'las. The terms Greece, and Greeks, are of Roman 
origin, and have been generally adopted in modern times. They were 
derived from the Grafci, a small tribe in Epi'rus; the first with whom the 
Romans became acquainted. 


the condition of the inhabitants ? What did they then do ? 4. Into wha 

were they gradually formed ? What is said of the government? What ' 
said of Hercules, &c. ? Of the Trojan war ? What was the effect of that 
event? 5. What occurred subsequently ? What raised the national enthu. 
siasm ? What then occurred? What did Greece add to her military 
renown ? 6. What took place under Alexander, &c. ? What is said of the 

eonquest by Rome ? 7. Of the Turkish invasion ? What was then the 

condition of the Greeks ? What at length occurred ? 8. What is said of 

the Pelasgians ? What did they found ? What is said of their habits ? 
What did the Athenians call them ? When and by what people were they 
expelled I What is said of the Hellenes ? Of the terms Greece and Greeks ? 

* 



GREECE. 


79 


9. The Hellc'ncs were divided into four great branches; viz., the Io'nian* 
Do'rians, Eo'lians, and Achae'ans. In time, these races came to be dioun- 
guishcd from each other by differences of dialect, manners, and constitution 
of government. The first, two were the most predominant. Athens was 
the chief Io'nian, and Sparta was the chief Do'rian State. The Achae'ans 
and Eo'lians became, in a great degree, identified with one or other of the 
ruling States. 

10. Though the Greeks were often at variance with each other, the influ¬ 

ence of their national religion, and their sacred, or public games, alway* 
•erved as a bond of union. The public games were the Olym'pian, Pyth'- 
ian, Isth'mian and Ncme'an. During their celebration, a suspension of 
hostilities, (if any existed,) took place between the different States, and to 
witness them not only natives, but many foreigners, always resorted. 
None but Greeks, however, could contend for the prize. This right was 
deemed a privilege of the highest value, and served to unite the most distant 
branches of the Hellcn'ic race. 0 



Olympian Games. 


11. The object of all these games was to prepare the youth for war, by 
accustoming them to feats of agility and strength. The exercises were, 
throwing the discus, or quoit, wrestling, boxing, and foot, horse, and chariot, 
races. Musical and poetical contests concluded the whole. The most noted 
was the Olym'pic; in which the renown of gaining a victory was so great, 
that the victor was regarded as an honour to his country. They were cele¬ 
brated every four years; and from them the Greeks began, about 776 B. C., 
to compute their time: every period of four years was called an Olyrn'piad. 

Map No. 3—Point out Thessaly. Epirus. Hellas, or Greece Proper. 
The Peloponnesus. The Ionian islands. Thracian islands. Thessalian 
islands. The Cyclades. The Sporades. The island of Euboea. Where 
are the Aero Ceraunii mountains ? Tumarus mountains ? Cambunii 
mountains ? Pindus mountains ? Point out the Ionian sea. The Egean 


9. How were the Hellenes divided ? What is said of the two first, &o. ? 
Of the Achaeans and iEolians ? 10. What purpose did the national religion 

and the noted games serve? What is said of them? 11. W^hat was their 
object? Describe the exercises. What is said of the Olympic games 1 
How often were they celebrated ? What was computed from them ? 

» 


✓ 
















80 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


sea. The Myrtoan sea. The sea of Crete. Where is the Gulf of Corinth ? 
The Gulf of Ambracia ? Gulf of Cyparissa ? Gulf of Messenia ? Gulf of 
Laconia? Saronic gulf? Thermaic gulf? Strymonic gulf? Singitic 
gulf? Toronaic gulf? Pelasgic gulf? Maliac gulf? Opuntic gulf? 

-32- 

GREECE—[CONTINUED.] 

1. The elements of their religious worship were derived by the 
Greeks either from Asia or Egypt; but they modified the whole, 
so completely, that it retained few or no features of its original 
source. They worshipped a number of gods and demi-gods, whom 
they divided into three classes—celestial, marine, and terrestrial. 
These were all subject to Jupiter, who was considered the father 
of gods and men. 

2. The celestial deities were, besides Jupiter, Apollo, the god of science, 
who was also considered as Phoe'bus or the sun. Mars was the god of war; 
Mercury, the god of eloquence; Bacchus, the god of wine ; and Vulcan, the 
god of fire. Juno, the sister and consort of Jupiter, was the highest female 
deity. Minerva was the goddess of the liberal arts; as Pallas, she was the 
goddess of war; Venus was the goddess of love; Diana, the goddess of 
hunting: as Phoe'be, she was the goddess of the moon; and, as Nee'ate, 
6he was in hell the goddess of the night, and darkness. Ce'res was the 
goddess of agriculture , and Vesta the goddess of fire. 

3. The marine deities were Neptune and his wife, Amphitri'te; Ocean'i- 
cus and his wife, The'tys; Tri'ton; Pro'teus; Ne'reus, with his sister and 
consort, Do'ris, and their progeny, known under the appellation of Tri'tons, 
Ne'reids, &c. The infernal gods were, Plu'to and his consort, Pros'erpine; 
Plu'tus, the god of riches; Cha'ron; the Furies; the Fates; the three j udges, 
Mi'nos, Abacus, and Rhadaman'thus. Besides these, they had rural deities : 
as, Pan ; Sylva'nus; Pria'pus; Aristae'us ; Ter'minus ; The Fauns and 
Sa'tyrs; Pa'les; Flo'ra; Pomo'na; and a vast number of nymphs. 

4. During the early periods of their existence, the Greeks-were governed 
by kings, and almost every city formed an independent State; but, by 
degrees, the love of liberty introduced the republican form of government: 
a change the more easily effected, each State being so small that almost all 
the inhabitants could assemble together, at a short notice, to consult on their 
general interests. 

5. Greece comprised four divisions; viz.:—1. Thes'saly and Epi'rus. 2 
Greece Proper, or Hel'las. 3. The Peloponne'sus. 4. The Islands. The 
Romans added Macedonia, and then divided the whole into the provinces of 
Acha'ia and Macedo'nia. The first comprised Hel'las and the Peloponne* 
sus. The capital was Corinth. The second included Thes'saly, Epi'rus 
and Macedo'nia. The capital was Thessaloni'ca. 


Q. 1 What is said of the religious worship of the Greeks ? Of their 
gods, &c. ? 2. Describe the celestial deities. The female divinities. 3. 

The marine deities. The infernal gods. The rural deities, &c. 4. How 

were the Greeks governed in early times? What was introduced by 
degrees ? From what circumstance was the change the more easily effected? 
5. Name the divisions of ancient Greece. How did the Romans divide it? 
What did the first comprise ? What did the second include ? 

* 




GREECE. 


8J 


THE S'SALY. 

0. Thessaly lay between Hel'las and Macedonia, and was sur* 
■ounded on all sides by high mountains, except on the east, where 
.ts coasts were washed by the JEge'an sea. It consisted of an 
extensive fertile plain, which was watered' by the Pe'neus and its 
branches. Thes'saly was famous for its breed of horses, and the 
inhabitants for their dexterity in horsemanship. 

7. Among the inhabitants were the Cen'taurs, who were fabled to be half 
man and half-horse. They were probably among the first who fought on 
horseback; and the horse and rider being taken for one and the same indi 
vidual, gave rise, no doubt, to the report. The Myr'midons, who dwelt in 
the southern part of Thes'saly, were imagined to have been, at first, a race 
of ants. They accompanied the rest of the Greeks to the siege of Troy. 

8. Olym'pus was the most celebrated mountain in Thes'saly. It was, 
according to the poets, the residence of the gods: on its summits reigned 
an eternal spring; and on the most lofly pinnacle stood the palace of Jupi¬ 
ter. The Greeks considered this mountain to be the highest in the world 
and the central part of the earth’s surface. 

9. On mounts Os'sa and O'thrys the Cen'taurs resided. Mount Pe'lion 
was covered with pine trees, and from thence was obtained the celebrated 
spear of Achil'les, which no one could wield but himself. In their fablea 
wars with the gods, the giants piled Os'sa on Pe'lion. Pindus was sacred 
to the Muses. The poets feigned Mount (E'ta to be so lofty that the sun, 
moon, and stars rose and set behind it. Near the mouth of the river Pene'ua 



Entrance to the Vale of Tempe. 


and between Olym'pus and Os'sa, was the vale of Tem'pe, celebrated among 
the ancients for the beauty of its scenery. It is about five miles in length, 
and is entered by a narrow defile. 

10. Laris'sa, on the Pe'neus river, was *the most famous of all the citiea 

6. Describe the position of Thessaly. Of what did it consist ? For what 
was it famous ? 7. What is said of the Centaurs ? What were they, 

probably? What is said of the Myrmidons? 8. Of Mount Olympus? 
What did the Greeks consider it to be ? 9. What is said of mounts Ossa 

and Othrys ? Of Mount Pelion ? Of the giants ? Mount Pindus ? Mount 
(Eta? Describe the vale of Tempe. 10. What is said of Larissa ? Phthia? 
Melibcea? Anticyra? Hypata? Iolcos? Aphetoe ? What occurred at 




CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


62 

ef that name. Achil'les had here his seat of government. Phthi'a was the 
city of the Myr'midons. Melibae'a was famous for dyeing wool of a purple 
colour; Antic'yra for its hellebore; and Hyp'ata for the skill of its inhabit 
ants in magic. Iol'cos was the birth-place of Ja'son, the leader of the 
Argonau'tic expedition; and Aph'etse was the port from which it set saiL 

11. At Cynoceph'alae, the Macedonians were defeated by the Romans; 
and at Pharsa'lia, Caesar obtained the victory over his rival Pompey, which 
secured him the government of Rome. Gom'phi, Itho'me, Tric'ca, Metrop'o 
lis, Cyph'ara, Thau'maci, Scotus'sa, Cra'non, Poer'na, Deme'trias, Pag'as® 
Thebes, La'mia, and Magne'sia, were all noted towns. Thessaly ancientl 
Contained several tribes, or districts:—iEsticeo'tis,Thessalio'tis, Pelasgio'tis, 
Magne'sia, Dolo'pia, and Phthio'tis were the principal. 

Map No. 3.—What mountains bounded Thessaly on the north ? On the 
west ? South ? What sea and gulf bounded it on the east ? Into what 
gulf did the Peneus river flow ? The Sperchius ? In what part of Thessaly 
was Mount Olympus ? Mount Ossa? Pelion? Othrys? ValeofTempe? 
Lake Beebe ? Point out the chief towns mentioned in the text. The districts. 
What towns stood on the Maliac gulf? On the Pelasgic? On the shores 
of the iEgean sea ? At what time were battles fought at Cynoscephal® 
and Pharsalia ? 

-33- 


EPI'RUS. 

1. Epi'rus lay between the Ionian Sea and the Pindus Moun¬ 
tains. In early times it was hardly considered a part of Greece, 
but, subsequently, it was fully recognised as one of the divisions 
of that country. The celebrated Pyr'rhus, who invaded Italy about 
the year 300 B. C., and who first transported elephants to that 
country, was king of Epi'rus. 

2. The Epi'rots were, for a time, a powerful nation but were at length 
conquered by the Romans ; who captured 70 cities, and sold 150,000 
of the inhabitants into slavery. The chief divisions of Epi'rus were Chao'- 
nia, Molos'sis and Thespro'tia. The inhabitants of the latter were the most 
ancient in Epi'rus. Molos'sis was noted for its breed of hunting-dogs. The 
whole region was, like Thessaly, famous for the excellence of its horses. 

3. The principal streams were, the Achelo'us, Arach'thus, and Ao'us. The 
Ach'eron and Cocy'tus were considered by the poets to be infernal rivers; 
the former, probably, from the dead appearance of its waters, and the latter 
for the unhealthiness of the country on the lower part of its course. The 
Pr.ius mountains separated Epi'rus from Thessaly. The Acro-Cerau'nil 
mountains were named from the summits being so often struck by lightning 
They were said to attract storms, and were dreaded by sailors. 

Cynoscephal® ? At Pharsalia ? Mention the other noted towns. The dis 
tricts. 

Q. 1. Describe the position of Epirus. How was it considered in early 
times, &c.? What is said of Pyrrhus ? 2. Of the Epirots ? Name the chief 
divisions. What is said of the inhabitants of Thespro-tia? Of Molos- 
6is ) How did Epirus resemble Thessaly ? 3. Name the principal rivers. 




GREECE. 


83 


4. Arnbra'cia was the residence o&Pyr'rhus and his successors. Buthro'- 
tum was visited by ASne'as in his way from Troy to Italy. Dodo'na waa 
famous for its oracle, said to be the most ancient in Greece. At Or'icunr 
Helen and Androm'ache reigned after the Trojan war. Nicop'olis wa» 
built by Augustus in honour of his victory over Antony at Ac'tium. 

s' 

HEL'LAS, OR GREECE PROPER. 

5. Hel'las, the central division of Greece, was called Greece 
Proper, from being the seat of the chief Hellen ic nations. It lay 
north of the Corinthian and Saronic gulfs, and south of Epirus and 
Thessaly. In area it was nearly equal to Connecticut and Rhode 
Island; and comprised Acarna'nia, iEto'iia, Do'ris, Lo'cris, Pho'cis, 
Bceo'tia, At'tica, and Meg'aris. 

6. The Achelo'us, in Acarna'nia, the Eve'nus, in JEto'lia, and the Ce- 
phis'sus and Aso'pus, in Bceo'tia, were the chief rivers. The Achelo'us was 
the largest; On the banks of the Eve'nus, Hercules slew Nessus, for offer¬ 
ing violence to Dejani'ra. The Cephis'sus (ealled the divine) was the river 
of the Graces. On the banks of the Aso'pus, the renowned battle of Platae'a 
was fought. Lake Copa'is, in Bceo'tia, was the largest lake. It was famous 
for its eels, which were highly prized by epicures. 

7. The chief mountains were, besides Mount CEta, which formed the 
northern boundary of Hel'las, Aracyn'thus, in Acarna'nia; PaniEtoricum, in 
^Eto'lia; Parnas'sus, in Pho'cis ; Hel'icon, in Bceo'tia; Cithse'ron, on the 
oorders of Bceo'tia, Meg'aris, and At'tica; Par'nes, between Baeo'tia and 
At'tica; and Hymet'tus and Pentel'icus, in At'tica. 


acarna'nia. 

8. Acarna'nia was the westernmost division of Hel'las. The 
•^habitants were rude barbarians long after the other branches of 
♦he Hellen'ic race had become the instructors of the world. They 
were gross, sensual, and addicted to low pleasures; so that porcus 
Acarnas became a proverbial expression. 

9. Its chief cities were Ar'gos-Amphiloch'icum, and Stra'tus. It con¬ 
tained, also, the town and promontory of Ac'tium, off which the battle was 
fought that gave Augustus the empire of the world. 


E TO LI A. 

10. ^Eto'lia was the least cultivated part of Greece. The 
people were, for a long period, the most uncivilized of the Hellen'* 
ic race. They were also noted freebooters. On the decline of 
Athens and Sparta, the iEto'lians became an important people, 

What is said of the Acheron and Cocytus? Of the Acro-Ceraunii ? 4 . 
Of Ambracia? Buthrotum, and the other towns? 5. What is said of 
Hellas? Describe its position. Its area. What did it comprise ? Name 
the chief rivers. What is said of the Achelous? Of the Evenus? The 
Cephissus? The Asopus? LakeCopais? 7. Name the chief mounta ; ns. 

8. Describe Acarnania. 9. Its chief cities. 10. What is said of Altolia t 



84 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 




and formed an alliance with Rome, B. C. 214. Their subse¬ 
quent desertion of the Romans, for Antiochus. King of Syria, 
was the chief cause of the subjugation of Greece. 

11. The chief towns were ChaPcis, CaPydon, and Thermus. The latter 
was the capital of iEtolia. Cal/ydon was the native place of Mele.a/ger, 
DejanPra, and Diome'des. Here the ferocious Calydo / nian boar, whom 
Diana sent to ravage the country, was killed by Melea / ger. 

LO'CRII, OR LO'CRIANS. 

12. The Lo'crii, or Locrians, comprised three tribes ; viz. : 
the Oz'olse, Opun'tii, and the Epi-Cnemidii. The Locrii- 
Oz'olae, or western Lo'crii, occupied a small district on the 
north side of the Corinthian gulf. 

13. The principal city was Nanpac'tus, [the ship-building town,] so 
named because the HeraclPdae built here the fleet in which they crossed 
over into the Peloponnesus. The territory of the two other tribes lay 
on the Opun'tic gulf, and was divided between them in nearly equal por¬ 
tions. CKpus was the chief town of the Locrii-0 / puntii, and Throniuin 
of the Ep / i-Cnemidii. 



Leonidas defending the Pass of Thermopylae. 


14. In the territory of the latter is the famous pass of Thermopylae, 
which, in its narrowest part, is only twenty-five feet wide. Here three 
hundred Spartans, under Leonidas, repulsed, for three days, the vast 
array of Xerxes, estimated at two millions of men. On the same ground, 
the Greeks afterwards contended against the Gauls; and the Romans, 
under the Consul AciPius, here defeated the army of AntPochus. 


Map No. 3.—What bounds Epirus on the north ? South ? East ? West ? 
Point out the rivers mentioned in the text. What rivers flowed into the 


What occurred on the decline of Athens and Sparta? 11. Name the 
chief towns. 12. What did the Locrii, or Locrians, comprise? What is 
said of the Locrii Ozofl&e? 13. Of their principal city? What is said 
of the two other tribes? Their chief towns? 14. Describe the pass of 
Thermopylae. What occurred there? What afterwards took places 2 










GREECE. 


85 

Ionian sea? The Gulf of Arta? What islands lay west of Epirus ? What 
towns lay on the coast? In the interior? What sea west of Acarnania? 
South of iEtolia? What gulf south of Western Locris? What mountains 
east of Acarnania ? North of iEtolia ? What rivers in Acarnania ? In 
.Etolia? In Western Locris? What islands lay v/est of Acarnania? 
When did the battle of Actium occur ? In what gulf was it fought ? When 
was the battle of Thcrmopylie fought? 

-34-- 

PHO'CIS, DO'RIS, BCEO'TIA, &c. 

1 . Pho'cis lay near the centre of Greece Proper, and north of 
the Gulf of Corinth. The inhabitants subsisted chiefly by agri¬ 
culture, and were distinguished for their bravery. The Pho'cian, 
or Sacred Wars, which proved so disastrous to Grecian liberty, 
originated with these people. They lasted ten years, and were 
terminated by the battle of Chaerone'a; a victory which enabled 
Philip of Mac'edon to control the affairs of Greece. 

2. Delp'hi, the chief city of Pho'¬ 
cis, was situated at the base of 
Mount Parnas'sus. Here Apollo 
killed the serpent Py'thon ; in 
honour of which exploit, the Pyth'- 
ian Games were celebrated every 
fifth year. It was famous for a 
temple of Apollo, and for an oracle 
celebrated amongst all the ancient 
nations. Here the Amphictyon'ic 
Council met to deliberate on the 
affairs of the nation. Del'phi was 
considered to be the umbilicus, or 
centre of Greece, and also of the 
ancient world. 

3. Cir'rha was the port of Del'- 
phi. Antic'yra was noted for its 
hellebore, the great remedy for 
madness among the ancients : 
hence it was said of a person la¬ 
bouring under insanity, “Let him 
go to Antic'yra.” The same, how¬ 
ever, was also said of Antic'yra in 

Thessaly. Litse'a and Elate'a were towns on the Cephis'sus river. 

4. Mount Parnas'sus was one of the most noted mountains of Greece 
It had two summits ; the one consecrated to Apollo and the muses, and the 
other to Bacchus. On it was the celebrated Casta'lian fountain; the waters 
of which were fabled to inspire those who drank them with the true spirit 
of poetry. 

Q, 1. Describe Phocis. What is said of the inhabitants? Of the 1 hociar. 
or Sacred Wars? 2. Describe Delphi. What is said of Apollo? For 
what was Delphi famous? What is said of the Amphictyonic Council ? 3. 

Of C’irrha and the other towns ? 4. Describe Mount Parnassus. What is 

8 



Delphi. 






86 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY 


do'ris. 

5. Do'ris was a small, interior State, which lay between #3tolia 
and Pho'cis, and at the base of Mount CE'ta. It was called Te- 
trap'olis, from its four cities. 

6. The Do'rians were one of the chief brandies of the Hellen'ic race 
Though limited in numbers, they sent various colonies to Italy, Sicily, anf 
Asia Minor. The Dor'ic order of architecture, and the Dor'ic style of music, 
were derived from hence, as well as the Dor'ic, one of the principal dialect* 
of the Greek tongue. 

bceo'tia. 

7. Bceo'tia lay between the Gulf of Corinth and the Euri'pus. 
It was the most fertile district in Greece. The inhabitants were a 
vigorous and athletic race; but were considered by the more 
sprightly Athenians as dull in intellect.—Yet Hes'iod, Pindar, 
Corin'na, and Plu'tarch, were natives of Boso'tia. 

8. In early times, it comprised several small States. About the year 1640 
B. C., Cadmus, the Phcenic'ian, founded the city of Thebes. After the 
death of Xan'thian, its last king, the adjacent cities were formed into a 
republic, of which Thebes took the lead, and was raised, by the talents of 
Epaminon'das and Pelop'idas, to the rank of the most powerful Grecian 
States. 

9. The city of Thebes was named after the celebrated Egyptian Thebes. 
It was long without walls; but was at length fortified, and had seven gates, 
—from which it was called Heptap'ylos. It was the birth-place of Epami¬ 
non'das, Pelop'idas,and Pindar. It revolted from Alexander, previous to his 
eastern expedition, when he captured and demolished it; sparing nothing 
but the house and family of Pindar, from admiration of the poet. 

10. Orchom'enus was, at an early period, celebrated for its wealth ; it was 
called the City of the Graces, from a temple consecrated to them. Chaerone'a 
was the birth-place of Plu'tarch, and the scene of a noted victory gained by 
Philip over the Athenians and Bceo'tians. Here, also, Archela'us, the gene¬ 
ral of Mithrida'tes, was vanquished by Sylla, B. C. 86. At Coronae'a, the 
Thebans were defeated by the Spartans. 

11. Platae'a was memorable for the defeat of the Persians by the Greeks, 
on the same day that the battle of Myc'ale in Io'nia was fought. At Leuc' 
tra, the Spartans were beaten by the Thebans under Epaminon'das; this 
victory put an end to the Spartan rule in Greece, after it had continued near 
500 years. Thes'piae was sacred to the muses; the inhabitants were the 
only people in Bceo'tia who refused the tender of earth and water to Xerxe* 
as a token of submission. Ascra was the birth-place of Hes'iod. 


said of the Castalian Fountain? 5. What is said of Doris? What was it 
called? 6. What were the Dorians? To what countries did they send 
colonies, &c.? 7. Describe Boeotia. What is said of the inhabitants? 

What, individuals were Boeotians? 8. What did Boeotia comprise in early 
times? What is said of Cadmus? What occurred after the death of 
Xanthian ? What is said of Eparninondas and Pelopidas ? 9. Describe 

the city of Thebes? Who were natives of it? What did Alexander do? 
10. Describe On;homeflus. What is said ofChaeronea? 11. Of Platm? 



GREECE. 


87 


12. At Au'lis the Greek fleet were detained, previous to the siege of Troy 
oy contrary winds. De'lium was noted for the defeat of the Athenians by 
the Bceo'tians : it was in this battle that Soc'rates saved the life of Xen'ophon. 
Tan'agra was the birthplace of the poetess Corin'na: it was famed for its 
breed of fighting-cocks: the Athenians were here worsted by the Spartans, 
prior to the Peloponne'sian war. This'be was noted for its abundance of 
wild p.geons. 


ME G'ARIS. 

13. Meg'aris lay between At'tica and Corin'thia. It was long 
attached to Athens; but was at length taken by a Peloponne'sian 
army, and was then obliged to side with Sparta. Though pos¬ 
sessing but an inconsiderable force, the rivalry of the larger States 
enabled the Megare'ans to live long in peace. 

14. Meg'ara, the chief city, was nearly equidistant from Corinth and 
Athens, and possessed, at one time, considerable splendour. The Megar'ic 
school of philosophy was founded here by Eu'clid, a disciple of Soc'rates, 
who, when the Athenians had forbidden the Megare'ans, on pain of death, 
to enter their city, travelled thither by night, disguised in women’s clothes, 
that he might attend the lectures of his master. 


Map No. 3.— Point out Doris. Phocis. Boeotia. Megaris. What 
mountains north of Doris? North of Phocis ? What gulf south of Phocis 
and Boeotia ? What strait east of Boeotia ? What gulf south of Megaris ? 
Point out Mount Parnassus. Mount Helicon. Mount Cithreron. Mount 
Parnes. Which is the highest of the first three ? On what river is Orcho- 
menus ? Chseronea ? Tanagra ? On what strait is Delium ? Aulis ? 
Anthedon ? When were battles fought at Chseronea ? Coronae ? Leuctra ? 
Platsea? Tanagrc ? Delium? 


AT'TICA. 

1. At'tica was the easternmost district of Hel'las, or Greece 
Proper: it was hardly equal in dimensions to a moderate-sized 
county, yet it has eclipsed the glory of the greatest kingdoms. The 
inhabitants became the most eminent of the Greeks; their genius 
was acute, and their wit was delicate and poignant; the latter was 
60 distinguished and peculiar that it was proverbially called “Attic 


Leuctra? Thespiae ? Ascra? 12. What occurred at Aulis? At Delium? 

What is said of Tanagra? Thisbe ? 13. What is said of Megaris ? What 

was the effect of the rivalry of the larger States? 14. Describe the chief 
city. By whom was the Megaric school of philosophy founded ? What 
is said of Euclid ? 

Q. 1. What is said of Attica ? Of the inhabitants ? Of their genius and 
wit? What was the latter proverbially called? 2. What is said of the m 


i 





88 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY 


2. The territory of At'tica was not fertile in grain, and was never able to 
furnish a supply for the inhabitants: the deficiency was usually imported 
from Eubce'a and Thrace. Figs and olives were produced in abundance. 
The oil of the latter was, with the ancients, the chief substitute for butter. 
The wool was noted for its fineness, and the skill with whicli it was dyed 
of the most beautiful colours. Mount Hymet'tus was famous for its honey ; 
Lau'rium for its silver mines; and Mount Pentel'icus for the fine marble 
which it furnished to the citizens of Athens. 

3. The people of At'tica boasted of their ancient and unmingled descent: 
they believed that they sprung from the soil on which they lived, and that 
they originated with the sun. The first known inhabitants were rude bar¬ 
barians. Ce'crops, who arrived from Egypt 1550 B. C., introduced the ele¬ 
ments of civilization; he taught them a better mode of living; instructed 
them in the cultivation of grain; planted the olive tree, and established 
wholesome laws. 

4. They were long governed by kings, of whom Co'drus was the last: 
after his death royalty was abolished, and archons were appointed, whose 
power was at first perpetual, then decennial, and lastly, annual. At'tica 
was, in early times, divided into four tribes, which were afterwards increased 
to ten, and then to twelve, each having its own chief. In its prot perous 
days it was, for its extent, densely peopled: the population is supj >sed to 
have been about 550,000, of whom 400,000 were slaves. 

5. Athens, the capital of At'tica, was the most important and 
splendid city of Greece. It was called, by the ancients, the eye 
of Greece, and also of the civilized world. It was the great seat 
of learning and the arts, and was the birth-place of the most eminent 
orators, philosophers,and artists of antiquity. Athens was founded 
by Ce'crops, and received, after him, the name of Cecro'pia; sub¬ 
sequently it was called Athens. It lay east of the Saron'ic Gulf, 
and between the small rivers Cephis'sus and Ilis'sus: at the time 
of its greatest extent it is supposed to have been five or six miles 
m circuit, and to have contained 120,000 inhabitants. 

6. It consisted of two divisions, the Acrop'olis and the Catop' 



The Acropolis. 


erritory of Attica ? What was produced in abundance? For what was 
Mount Hymettus famous ? Laurium ? Mount Pentelicus ? 3. Of what 

did the people of Attica boast? What did they believe? What were the 
first inhabitants? 4. What is said ofCecrops? Of the government of 
Attica ? How was Attica divided ? What was the amount of population ? 

5. Describe Athens. By whom was it founded ? Describe its position. Ex¬ 
tent. Population. 6. Describe its divisions, &c. Its harbours. Long 






GREECE. 


89 


olis, 01 the upper and lower city, and was distant five miles from 
the sea. The Pirae'us, Munych ia and Phale'rus were harbours, 
connected with the city by walls of great strength and extent, • 
called the long walls; they were 80 feet high, and so broad that 
carriages could pass each other on their summits. The first- 
named harbour was considered the most convenient, and was one 
of the emporiums of Greeian commerce. 

7. The Acrop'olis, or citadel, was built on the top of a rock that was 
three-fourths of a mile in circuit; it was accessible only on one side, and 
contained a number of buildings, some of them the most splendid of which 
Athens could boast. The chief ornament was the Parthenon, or Temple of 
Minerva, a structure which, even in ruins, has been the admiration of the 
world, and has served as the model of many of the finest buildings both in 
the old and the new world. It was erected by Per'icles, during the classic 
age of Athens, of the finest white marble, encompassed with fluted columns 
of the Doric order, and embellished with the sculpture of Phid'ias. 

8. The Temple of Jupiter Olym pius was the pride of the lower city. It was 
from time to time enlarged and beautified, and was, at length, finished by 
the emperor A'drian, 700 years after its commencement. It was 400 feet in 
length, and 171 in front, and was adorned by 124 fluted columns, 60 feet 
high, and 6 feet in diameter. 



Temple of Theseus in its present state. 

9. The Pan'theon, the O'deon, the Prytane'um, the Pceci'Ie Stoa, or gal. 
lery of paintings, in which were the schools of the Stoics, and the Academy 
and the Lyce'um, two other celebrated schools of philosophy, were a few, 
among the numerous objects of interest in Athens. The Temple of The', 
seus somewhat resembled the Pan'theon, and is, perhaps, as to its outline, 
the most entire of the Greek edifices remaining in Athens. 

10. Northwest of Athens lay Eleu'sis, celebrated for its religious myste- 


walls. The first named harbour. 7. Describe the Acropolis. The Par¬ 
thenon. By whom was it erected, &.c. ? 8. What is said of the Temple of 
Jupiter Olympius? By whom was it finished? By what was it adorned? 
Describe its extent. 9. What were some of the objects of interest ir 
Athens? What is said of the Temple of Theseus? 10. Of Eleusis* 
8 * 




90 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


rk<» which were considered so awful, that any one of the initiated whu 
divulged them, was put to death. Mar'athon, which lay at the base of 
Mount Pentel'icus, and 20 miles from Athens, is famed for the brilliant 
victory gained by Milti'ades. Here. 11,000 Greeks defeated 110,000 Per¬ 
sians. A soldier ran from the field of battle to carry the news to Athens, 
but was so exhausted when he reached the city, that, having uttered the 
words. “ rejoice, we are victors,” he fell down and expired. 

11. On the coast, opposite to Eubce'a, was Rham'nus, celebrated for a 
temple of Nem'esis, in which was a statue of the goddess made out of a 
dock of Pa'rian marble that the Persians intended as a pillar to be erected 
to commemorate the expected victory over the Greeks. Lau'rium, near the 
promontory of Su'nium, was celebrated for its silver mines; Panor'muH 
was the chief harbour of Athens on the east shore. 


Map No. 3.—What district bounded Attica on the north ? On the west f 
What gulf on the southwest? What strait on the east? E. Point out 
Athens. Piraeus. Phalerus. Munychia. On what gulf did these three 
towns lie? What two islands lay west of Attica? What large island lay 
partly east? In what direction from Athens is Mount Hymettus ? Mount 
Pentelicus? Mount Parnes? Mount Cithaeron ? What is the eoutherr: 
point of Attica ? Between what rivers does Athens stand ? When was the 
battle of Marathon fought ? The battle of Salamis ? 



The Fleet of Xerxes defeated by the Greeks at Salamis. 

12. The narrow strait on the east side of the Island of Sal'amis was Cm 
B eene of the greatest naval battle of ancient times. The Greeks had 3&, t 
and the Persians 2000 ships ; the former lost 40 vessels, and the latter 2 (k<, 
but nearly all the remainder, soon afterwards, fell into the hands of the 
Greeks. Xerx'es, seated on a rich throne, viewed the conflict from the ad¬ 
jacent coast of At'tica, and saw, with mingled rage and anguish, the defeat 
of his numerous fleet. 


Marathon? What occurred here ? 11. What is said o' Rhamnus? Of 

tiie statue of the goddess Nemesis? Laurium ? Panormus? 12. What 
took place near Salamis? How many ships were engaged in it? What 
was the result ? What is said of Xerxes ? 













GREECE. 


9V 


-36- 

THE PELOPONNE'SUS. 

1. The Peloponne'sus, the most southern division of Greece, 
is a peninsuia, about equal in area to the State of Massachusetts. 
It is a mountainous country, watered with numerous streams, and 
its coasts are indented with several deep inlets. The modem 
name, More'a, is said to be derived from the resemblance of its 
outline to a mulberry leaf. 

2. It was at first called A'pia, and afterwards, Pelas'gia, from 
the Pelas'gians. The term Peloponne'sus (island of Pe'lops) was 
derived from Pe'lops, a Phryg ian prince, who married a daughter 
of a king of Pi'sa in E'lis, and, becoming his successor, conquered 
a considerable part of the peninsula. 

3. The isthmus of Corinth, which unites the Peloponne'sus to Hel'las, 
was an important pass, and formed a barrier against foreign invasion. 
Small vessels were often drawn over it, from one gulf to the other, and 
various attempts were made by Deme'trius, Caesar, Nero, and others, but 
always without success, to construct a canal across it: hence, to cut through 
the Corin'thian isthmus has long been a proverbial expression for aiming ac 
an impossibility. 

4. The chief products of the Peloponne'sus were corn, wine, and oil. The 
inhabitants were among the most renowned of the Greeks, and acted an 
important part in all their national affairs. The population, when most 
numerous, is supposed to have amounted to about a million. The chief 
divisions were Acha'ia, Ar'golis, E'lis, Arca'dia, Messe'nia and Laco'nia: 
Sicyo'nia and Corin'thia were generally included in Acha'ia. 

A C H A' I A. 

5. Acha'ia comprised the most northern part of the Peloponne'¬ 
sus ; it was at first called Egi'alus, subsequently, Io'nia, and then 
Acha'ia. At the siege of Troy the Achse'ans were the most nume¬ 
rous and powerful of the Greek tribes engaged. 

6. The famous Achae'an league was formed about the year 287 B. C., by 
the union of all the Achae'an cities, and also by the States of Cor'inth, Sic'- 
yon, Ar'golis, Laco'nia, Arca'dia, Meg'aris, and others. This confederacy 
became formidable to the adjoining nations, as well as to the Romans, by 
whom, on the capture of Cor'inth, it was dissolved, after an existence of 130 

Q. 1. What was the Peloponnesus? What is said of its extent, Ac.? 
Describe the country. What is said of the modern name? 2. Of its an 
cient name ? How was the term Peloponnesus derived, Ac. ? 3. What is 

said of the isthmus of Corinth? What attempts were made by Demetrius 
and others? What was deemed an impossibility? 4. What were the 
cl lief products ? What is said of the inhabitants? The population? Name 
the chief divisions. 5. What is said of Achaia ? 6. Of the Achaean league 7 

What cities and States were included in it? What did it become? When 



92 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


years. When annexed to Rome, the Peloponne'sus and Hel'las were formed 
mto the province of Acha'ia. 

7. The most important towns of Acha'ia were Pelle'ne, ASgi ra, iE'gium, 
Pa'trae, Dy'me, Pha'rae and Tritae'a. Pelle'ne was famous for its wool; 
cloaks made of it were given as prizes to the riders at the gymnastic games, 
held here in honour of Mercury. .dEgi'ra was called, at first, Hypere'sia; but 
received the former name from the circumstance of its inhabitants tying 
lighted faggots to the horns of some goats, and thus protecting themselve* 
against the attacks of an enemy. 

8. At iE'gium the States of Acha'ia held their public meetings, hither, 
also, Agamem'non assembled all the Greek chiefs, prior to the Trojan war. 
Pa'trae was an important town; it suffered severely in the Roman wars: 
after the battle of Ac'tium, Augustus settled a number of veterans in it, and 
made it a Roman colony. Pha'rae possessed an extensive forum, with an 
image of Mercury, and, near it, an oracle of the god. Dy'me, with the 
adjacent country, was frequently laid waste during the Social War. 


sicyo'nia. 

9. Sicyo'nia was one of the smallest, and it was also one of the 
most ancient of the Greek States. For a time it was subject to 
Argos, but it was usually reckoned as a part of Acha'ia. About 
the years 240 to 220 B. C., Ara'tus, an able commander, raised 
Sicyo'nia to considerable power and distinction, but, after his death, 
it became of little importance. 

10. Sic'yon, the capital, was founded more than 2000 years B. C. It was 
once the first school of painting in Greece ; several noted artists were natives, 
among whom was Lysip'pus. The inhabitants were luxurious and effemi¬ 
nate, and hence the proverb, “ Sicyonii calcei,” used in reference to effemi¬ 
nate gayety. The almonds of Sic'yon were noted; also a kind of shoes 
worn by the voluptuous and delicate. 


11. Corinthia occupied the narrow isthmus which joined the 
Peloponne'sus to the main land; its territory was one of the 
smallest in Greece; but commerce rendered it rich and powerful. 

12. Cor'inth, the capital, was one of the most splendid, but, at the same 
time, most voluptuous cities of Greece. It received the epithet Bim'aris, 
from being situated between two seas or gulfs. In its vicinity the Isth'mian 
games were celebrated, in honour of Neptune, every five years. This city 
maintained its rank until it was captured and destroyed by the Roman 
consul Mum'mius, 146 years B. C. Julius Caesar rebuilt it, and it became, 
afterwards, the metropolis of the Roman province of Acha'ia. 


was it dissolved ? W'hat did the Peloponnesus, &c. form ? 7. Name the 

most important towns of Achaia. What is said of Pellene ? jEgira? 
8. iEgium i Patrae? Pliarae ? Dyme ? 9. Describe Sicyonia. What is 

said of Aratus? 10. What is said of Sicyon ? Of the inhabitants, &c. ? 
11. What did Corinthia occupy ? What is said of its territory ? 12. Of Cor¬ 
inth ? What epithet did it receive ? What were celebrated in its vicini'y * 
What is said of its capture ? Julius Caesar, &c.? 



GREECE 


to 



The Acro-Corinthus, with modern Corinth. 


13. Cor'inth had two ports, Lechse'um, on the Corinthian, and Cenchne'a, 
on the Saron'ic gulf; they were always crowded with shipping ; the city 
stood at the base of a hill 2100 feet high; on the summit was the Acro-Co¬ 
rinthus, the strongest fortress in Greece; the view from hence is one of the 
finest in the world—the peaks of Hel'icon and Parnas'sus, and the Acrop'- 
olis of Athens are visible in the distance. Cor'inth is now a mere village. 


Map No. 3.—What bounds the Peloponnesus on the north ? What sea 
west? East? What gulf east? Into what sea docs the Peneus river 
flow ? The Alpheus ? The Neda ? Into what gulf does the Pamisus river 
flow ? The Eurotas ? What gulf bounded Achaia on the north ? What 
districts south? What district east? What rivers in Achaia flow into the 
gulf of Corinth? What gulf north of Sicyonia? What districts south? 
What district east? West? What gulf north of Corinth ? South? On 
what gulf is Lechseum? Cenchrrea? What mountains south of Achaia? _ 
Point out Pellene. Sicyon. Corinth. The other towns mentioned in the 
text. 


-37- 

AR'GOLIS AND LACO'NIA. 

1. Ar'golis occupied the most eastern part of the Peloponne'- 
sus: it was a rich, fertile district, and was settled and cultivated at 
an early period. In'achus, about the year 1800, and Dan'aus, 
about the year 1500 B. C., came hither with colonists from Egypt. 
In remote times it was governed by one monarch; subsequently 
it was divided into several small kingdoms, all of which after¬ 
wards became free States. The inhabitants were called Ar'gives, 
or Argi'vi. 


13. What is said of the ports of Corinth ? Describe the position of the city 
What is s&id of Acro-Coriii thus ? What is Corinth at this time ? 

Q. 1 Describe Argolis. What is said of Inachus ? Of Dauaus ? Of 





d4 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


s 

2. Epidau'rus, one of the chief towns, stood on the coast of the Saron ic 

gulf; near it was a renowned temple of Escula'pius, much visited by the 
sick. It was celebrated for its vines and its fine breed of horses. In the 
vicinity was Mount Arachnffi'us, the last station of the telegraphic fire by 
which the capture of Troy was announced at Myce'n®, the same night it 
was taken. Not far distant was the peninsula of Meth'an®, noted for its 
hot springs ; near it was Traeze'nc, the birth-place, of The'seus. j. 

3. Myce'n® was the royal city of Agamem'uon, the oommander of the 
Greeks at Troy : it was at that time the chief city in Ar'golis, and superior 
to Ar'gos. The inhabitants of the latter captured and destroyed it more 
than 2000 years ago. Its ruins are in nearly the same state as when de¬ 
scribed by ancient authors. Nem'ea had near it a grove where Her'cules 
slew the Nem'ean lion, in honour of which exploit the Nem'ean games were 
celebrated there every three years. 

4. Ar'gos, the chief city of Ar'golis, was one of the oldest cities in Greece 
it was strongly fortified, and was defended by two citadels. Some of the most 
skilful sculptors of antiquity were natives of this city, and music was ardently 
cultivated. At Thyrae'a a battle was fought between 1100 Ar'gives and as 
many Spartans, in which one of the latter was the only survivor. Nau'plia 
was the port of Ar'gos, and the naval station of the Ar'gives. Ti'ryns was 
celebrated as the early residence of Her'cules. 

5. The island of jEgi'na lay east of Ar'golis; though of small extent, it 
became an independent State: it was noted for its ships and its commerce, 
and was, at one time, the emporium of Greece. dEgi'na was the rival of 
Athens, at sea; its warriors were the most distinguished of the Greek allies 
at the battle of Sal'amis, and obtained the prize of valour. The iEgine'tan 
marbles are noted pieces of Doric sculpture, taken from the temple of Ju¬ 
piter Panhelli'nus by some English and German artists about the year 1811. 
South of vEgi'na was the island of Calau'ria, where Demos'thenes poisoned 
himself, to escape the persecutions of Antip'ater. 

laco'nia. 

6. Laco'nia, Laced^'mon, or Sparta, was the largest of the 
Peloponne'sian States; it was a rugged, barren country, and diffi¬ 
cult of culture. Its inhabitants were renowned for their bravery 
and love of liberty; they were forbidden to exercise any mechani¬ 
cal arts or trades, which, together with the labours of agriculture, 
devolved on the He'lots or slaves. 

7. The austere education introduced by Lycur'gus about the year 880 
B. C., rendered the Spartans ambitious of glory, fearful of dishonour, and 
undaunted in battle; and to its influence the achievements of Leon'idas at 
Thermop'yl®, and Pausa'nias at Platae'a, are to be attributed. Obedience t• 


Pelops ? How was it divided in remote times ? What were the inhabitants 
called? 2. What is said of Epidaurus ? Mount Arachnseus? Of Me¬ 
dian®? Trcezene? 3. Mycen®? Nemea? 4. Argos, &c. ? What oc¬ 
curred at Thyrrea ? What is said of Nauplia ? Of Tiryns ? 5. Describe 

the island of Angina. What power did it rival ? What is said of its war 
riors? Of the iEginetan marbles? 6. Describe Laconia, Laced®mon, or 
Sparta. What is said of the inhabitants ? What devolved on the Helots f 
7. What is said of the education introduced by Lycurgus ? Of obedience. 



GREECE. 


95 


superiors, and the endurance of hardship, were rigorously inculcated. To 
inure the youth to hunger, they received but little food; if they wantet 
more, they were obliged to steal it, and, if discovered, they were punished 
not for the theft, but for their awkwardness. 

8. At the annual festival of Dia'na Or'thia, to enable them to bear pain 
they w r ere severely whipped; their fathers stood by,exhorting them to forti 
tude, and the youths endeavoured to surpass each other in firmness. Who 
ever uttered the least cry was considered to be disgraced. The art of swim¬ 
ming the Spartans thought very important, and the greatest reproach that 
could be bestowed on a man, was to say, “ he can’t even swim.” Conciseness 
of language was much studied, and the term “ laconic” has been long used 
to signify a short, pithy manner of speaking. 

9. The Spartans exercised, for a period of 500 years, a powerful influence 
over the affairs of Greece. Their constant disputes with the Athenian* 
involved all the other States, and produced a series of wars, in which they 
finally became predominant; but, intoxicated by the dominion they had 
gained, and corrupted by luxury, they departed from their ancient disci¬ 
pline, and lost their ascendancy. 

10. The chief city of Laco'nia was Sparta; it stood on the Euro'tas, the 
most beautiful and limpid of all the Grecian streams. At the time of its 
greatest extent, it was about six miles in circuit; but it was never equal in 
splendour to some of the other Grecian cities. It remained long without 
walls—the Spartans believing that a city’s best defence lay in the valour of 
its citizens. It was, at length, regularly and strongly fortified. 

11. Gyth'ium, the port of Sparta, was a town of great strength. A short 
distance east of it was He'los, the inhabitants of which were reduced to 
slavery by the Lacedsemo'nians, whence their slaves were called He'lots. At 
Sella'sia, the Spartan monarch Cleom'enes III. was defeated by Antig'onus 
Doson, king of Macedonia, B. C. 224. Therap'ne was sacred to Apollo. 

12. South of Sparta was Amyc'lae, one of the most ancient towns in La¬ 
co'nia. Zarex and Epide'lium lay onJ.he eastern coast. Bce'a stood not far 
from the island called Onigna'thos (tlie Asses Jaw). Messa and Ccenop'olis 
lay on the gulf of Messe'nia: the latter, called also Tsena'rium, was noted 
for its beautiful green marble. Ma'lea promontory or cape was the south¬ 
east extremity of the Peloponne'sus ; and Tama'rium promontory the most 
southern. Near the latter was a cave, said to be the entrance to Pluto’s 
dominions, by which Hercules dragged Cer'berus to the upper regions. 

Map ‘No. 3. — What sea lay southeast of Argolis and Laconia? What 
gulf east of Argolis ? South ? Northeast of Laconia ? South ? What 
islands south? What islands on the coast of Argolis? What district* 
north of Argolis? What district west? North of Laconia? Wcstl 
What mountains in Argolis ? In Laconia? What promontory formed the 
southeastern extremity of Laconia ? The southwestern ? On what river 
was the city of Sparta ? Argos ? Point out the other towns mentioned in 
the text. When was a battle fought at Sellasia ? 

See. ? How were the youth treated ? What was done, if discovered ? 8. 

What occurred at the festival of Diana Orlhia ? What is said of the art of 
swimming ? Conciseness of language, &c. ? 9. What did the Spartan* 

exercise for 500 years ? What is said of their constant disputes ? What 
was the result ? 10. Describe the city of Sparta ? What did the Spartan* 

believe? 11. What is said of Gythium ? Helos ? Sellasia? Therapne 1 
12. Amyclce and the other towns ? What is said of Malea and Taenarium 
promontory ? Of a cave near the latter ? 


X 




06 


( LASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


E'LIS, MESSE'NIA, AND ARCA'DIA. 

1. E'lis or E'lea was the most fertile district in the Peioponne' 
sus ; it was watered by the Alphe'us, the Pene'us,and other streams. 
The inhabitants were much engaged in agriculture and rural 
pursuits. The name of this district was derived from E'leus, one 
of its first monarchs. Saimo'neus, another of its kings, was killed 
by Jupiter for attempting to imitate thunder and lightning. 

2. E'lis-was considered the holy land of Greece. The Olym ¬ 
pian, the most ancient and solemn of the national festivals, was cele¬ 
brated here. In early times, when warlike bands traversed the 
country, they delivered up their arms on entering it, and received 
them again when they quitted the frontier. Subsequently, how¬ 
ever, its territory was as little respected as that of any of the other 
States. 

3. Olym'pia, the most renowned city of E'lis, lay on the river Alphe'us, a 
short distance from the sea: here the Olym'pian games were held every 
fourth year, and here the great temple of Jupiter was built by the Eleans, 
but at the expense of all the other Greek States ; hence it w'as considered as 
a national structure. It rivalled the Pantheon, in extent, and surpassed it 
in grandeur: within it was placed the colossal statue of the Olym'pian 
Jupiter, considered one of the wonders of the world ; it was sixty feet high, 
carved by Phidias, and was acknowledged to be the most perfect piece of 
sculpture that ever existed. There were several other temples, besides many 
monuments and statues, erected in honour of deities, heroes, and victors at 
the games. 

4. The city of E'lis stood on the banks of the E'lean Pene'us, (so called to 
distinguish it from the river Pene'us in Thessaly,) about twelve miles from 
the sea ; it consisted, at first, of several detached villages, which were after 
wards united, and became the metropolis. The port of E'lis was Cylle'ne. 
Here the Pelas'gi sailed on their expedition to Italy. Near to E'lis stood 
the ancient city of Py'los: Nestor, one of the most renowned Grecian heroes 
of the Trojan war, was king of Py'los, but as there were three cities of that 
name in the Peloponne'sus, it is uncertain at which of them he reigned. 

5. In the vicinity was Bupra'sium; it was surrounded by a fruitful and 
well-cultivated district. Scil'lus was the dwelling-place of Xen'ophon : here 
he wrote nearly all his works. Not far from Olym'pia was the city of Pi'sa ; 
its inhabitants long enjoyed the privilege of presiding at the Olym'pian 
games; but the people of E'lis envied them that distinction, and made war 
upon them; took their city and utterly demolished it. 

Q. 1. Describe Elis. What is said of the inhabitants ? From whom was 
the name derived ? What is said of Salmoneus ? 2. What was Elis con¬ 
sidered ? What was held here ? What is said of early times ? 3. Describe 

Olympia. What is said of the great temple, &c. ? How did it compare 
with the Pantheon ? What was placed within it ? Describe the statue, &c. 
4. Describe the city of Elis. The port of Elis. What is said of Pylos ? 
Of Nestor ? 5. Of Buprasium ? Scillus ? Pisa ? 6. Describe Messenia 



GREECE. 


99 


messe'nia. 

6. Messe'nia was the southwestern division of the Peloponne¬ 
sus. It was in some parts mountainous, but abounded in rich and 
well-watered plains, furnishing excellent pasturage: hence its 
possession was coveted by the Spartans; and this circumstance 
gwe rise to three obstinate wars between the two nations, in whi-i h 
the Messe'nians were at length subdued, and obliged to leave their 
country. Their descendants, however, in consequence of the 
change of circumstances produced by the victory at Leuc'tra, re¬ 
turned, about a century afterwards. 

7. Messe'ne, the chief town, was founded by Epaminon'das shortly afle' 
the battle of Leuc'tra, with such zeal and activity, that its fortifications and 
chief edifices were completed in 85 days. Itho'me was the citadel of Mes¬ 
se'ne; it and the Acro-Corin'thus were the two strongest places in the 
Peloponne'sus. I'ra, a mountain-fortress, was famous for maintaining a 
siege against the Lacedaemo'nians for eleven years. 

8. Metho'ne w T as an ancient city, which received its name from Metho'ne, 
daughter of iEne'as. In the time of the Romans it was taken by Agrippa, 
when in command of a Roman fleet: he found here Boc'chus, king of Mauri- 
ta'nia, and put him to death as a partisan of Marc Antony. Trajan particu¬ 
larly favoured this city, and bestowed several privileges on the inhabitants. 

9. Corypha'sium and Py'los lay in a fine harbour, now the gulf of Nava- 
ri'no. It was the scene of a naval conflict between the Athe'nians and 
Spartans; and, in our own times, the great naval victory which secured 
independence to the modern Greeks, was gained here. Py'los is supposed to 
have been the capital of Nestor’s kingdom, though the honour was disputed 
by two other towns. Phe'ne stood at the head of the gulf of Messe'nia; 
Stenycla'rus lay on the Pamis'sus river; in the vicinity was the Campus 
Stenyola'rus, in which the Spar'tans were twice defeated by the Messe'r.ians. 
Cyparis'sa gave its name to the gulf on which it stood, and also to the adja 
cent promontory. 


arca'di a. 

10. Arca'di A, so renowned in poetry, occupied the interior dis¬ 
trict of the Peloponne'sus, and was enclosed on every side by the 
adjacent States. Being elevated and mountainous, it was well 
adapted to pasturage, and was consecrated by the ancients to Pan, 
the god of shepherds. The inhabitants were devoted to a pastoral 
life ; they were strongly attached to liberty, and were noted for 
their love of music._ 

What gave rise to three wars between the Spartans and Messenians? 
What was the result? What occurred about a century afterwards? 
7. What is said of Messene? Of Ithome ? Ira? 8. What is said of Me- 
thone ? What occurred in the time of the Romans ? What is said of Tra* 
jan ? 9 Of Coryphasium and Pylos ? What occurred in our own times I 

What is said of Pylos ? Pherse ? StenyClarus? Cyparissa? 10. Wha 
is said of Arcadia ? For what was it well adapted ? To what god was it 
consecrated? What is said of the inhabitants? 

9 <3 



98 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


11 . Arca'dia never contained any great cities, and it was long before 
towns began to be erected ; among the latter was Cli'tor, remarkable for a 
fountain whose waters gave those who drank them a distaste for wine; it 
stood on a stream of the same name, the fish of which are stated to have 
sung like thrushes. Orchom'enus was an ancient town; it sent 120 sol¬ 
diers to Thermop'ylse, and 600 to Platae'a. Herae'a was a city of some 
rnportance, the possession of which was frequently contested by the E'le- 
ans and Arca'dians. Gor'tys or Gorty'na was celebrated for a beautifo 
temple dedicated to Escula'pius. At Mantine'a, Epaminon'das, the notal 
Theban general, gained a victory over the Lacedaemo'nians, in which h 
lost his life. 

12. Megalop'olis, the largest Arca'dian city, was founded by the advice 
of Epaminon'das after the battle of Leuc'tra; it was the birth-place of Philo- 
pce'men, and Polyb'ius, the historian. At Te'gea the gigantic bones of 

Ores'tcs were found bu. 
ried : • the celebrated Ata- 
lan'ta was a native of this 
place: it was famed for a 
temple of Miner'va, the 
most splendid in the Pelo- 
ponne'sus. 

13. Pallan'tium was the 
city of Evan'der. At Phi- 
ga'lia was a beautiful tem¬ 
ple of Apollo Epicu'rius: 
it still exists, though much 
dilapidated : some beauti- 
Temple of Apollo Epicurius. f u l p j eces 0 f scu lpture, 

taken from it, are in the British Museum, and are called the Phiga'lian 
Marbles. 


Map No. 3. — What sea lay west of Elis and Messenia ? What gulfs on 
the west? What promontories or capes? What islands? What rivers 
flowed through Elis, Messenia, and Arcadia ? What gulf south of Messe¬ 
nia? What river flowed into it? What mountain lay north of Elis? 
North of Arcadia ? Between Messenia and Laconia ? In the southern 
part of Messenia ? Point out the towns mentioned in the text, in Elis. In 
Messenia. In Arcadia. When was the battle of Mantinea fought? What 
is the height of the Taygetus mountains ? Of the Cyllene ? The length of 
the Alpheus river ? 

-39- 

THE GREEK ISLANDS 

I. The islands attached to Greece comprised several groups 
lue greater part of which lay in the iEge'an sea. They were first 

II. What is said of the cities and towns? For what was Clitor remark, 

able? What is said of the stream of the same name? Of Orchomcnus ? 
Heraea? Gortys? Mantinea? 12. What is said of Megalopolis ? What 
was found at Tegea ? Who was a native of that place? For what was 
it famed ? 13. What is said of Pallantium ? The temple, of Phigalia ? 

^Q. 1. What is said of the Greek islands? By whom were they first 






/ 


GREECE. 99 

peopled by the Phoenicians, Ca'rians and Pelas'gians, afterwards 
they were occupied by the Helle'nes, and, until Athens established 
her sovereignty over the seas, each consisted of one or more free 
States. The Romans, in the time of Vespa'sian, formed them all 
into one province. 

2. Cre'ta or Cre'te was the largest Greek island, and was sur¬ 
name d Hecatom'polis, from its hundred cities; it was noted as the 
birth-place of Ju'piter, and for the wise laws which the renowned 
Mi nos established. In the centre stood Mount I'da, where Ju'piter 
was nursed. The principal city was Gnos'sus, or Gno'sus, where 
Mi'nos reigned, and where, it is supposed, the celebrated labyrinth 
was constructed. The other cities were Lyc'tos, Gorty'na and 
Cydo'nia. 

2. The Cre'tans were skilful archers, and hired themselves to any State 
that needed mercenary soldiers. In the earlier period of their existence, 
they were a wise and just people, but they degenerated so far as to be 
charged with the grossest vices. St. Paul quotes one of their own poets, in 
evidence of their bad character. 

4. Eubce'a was next to Cre'te, in extent; it was separated from the main 
land by the strait Euri'pus, which was said to ebb and flow seven times 
each day and each night. It was a rich and fertile island, and the Athe¬ 
nians drew their chief supplies from it. The principal towns were Chal'cis 
and Ere'tria; tire first was joined to Boeo'tia by a fortified bridge. 

5. O'reus was noted for its vines; near it the battle of Artemisi'um was 
fought, in which the Greeks defeated the fleet of Xerx'es, at the same time 
that his army was repulsed at Thermop'ylse. A3'ga, Cerin'thus and Carys'- 
tus, were also towns in Euboe'a; the latter was noted for its beautiful green 
marble; near it, at Caphare'um promontory, the Greek fleet was wrecked, 
on its return from Troy. 

6. The Thracian Islands, Tha'sos, Samothra'ce, Im'bros and Lemnos, lay 
in the northern part of the ^Ege'an sea. Tha'sos was noted for its wine and 
its marble. Samothra'ce was called after the island of Sa'mos, to which the 
epithet, Thrace, was added by way of distinction. The worship of Cyb'ele 
originated here; whence the island was regarded as sacred, and became 
an asylum for criminals. Im'bros was consecrated to Ce'res and Mer'cury, 
and to the deities called Cabi'ri. 

7. Lem'nos was called Diop'olis from its two towns, Hephaes'tia and 
Myri'na; in the forum of the latter was the famous statue of the ox, made 
by My'ron, on which the ancients affirm Mount A'thos, 45 miles distant, 
threw its shadow, at the time of the winter solstice. This island contained 
a. volcano fabled to be the workshop of Vulcan. Here the women once 
Ecaesacred all the male inhabitants : certain Pelas'gians, also, murdered 

ome women and children which they had carried away from Attica. From 


peopled ? By what people were they afterwards occupied ? Of what did 
each consist ? Into what did the Romans form them ? 2. Describe Crete. 
Name the principal cities. 3. What is said of the Cretans ? 4. Of Euboea ? 

Name the principal towns. 5. What is said of Oreus ? What took place 
near it? What is said of ASga, &c. ? 6. Which were the Thracian 
Wands 7 What is said of Thasos ? Samothrace ? 7. Lemnos ? What 



100 CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHV. 

those atrocities, the Greeks gave the epithet “ Lem'man” to any horrible 
murder. 

8. The Thessa'ljan Islands were Halonne'sus, Scy'athus, Scop'elos, Pre. 
pare'thus and Scy'ros. The women of Halonne'sus are said to have repelled 
alone an invasion after all the men were slain. Prepare'thus was celebrated 
for its wines and olives. Scy'ros was the country of the king Lycome'- 

r des: here Achil'les disguised himself in the habit of a girl, to escape going 
1> the Trojan war. 

9. The Cyc'lades lay southeast of Attica, and received their name be 
cause they surrounded'De'los as with a circle. They were noted for thei. 
fine marble, and the excellence of their wines, the reputation of which is not 
yet entirely lost. De'los, though one of the smallest islands, was the most 
distinguished of the whole group. It was famed for its temple and altar of 
Apollo, and as the birth-place of Apollo and Diana. It is said to have floated 
about, under the surface of the sea, until made to appear and stand firm by 
order of Neptune.. 

10. De'los was a place of great sanctity, and was famed all over the 
ancient world; even the Hyperbo'reans sent offerings to its temple. It was 
noted for the skill of its artists, the fineness of its silver, and the excellence 
of its bronze. Nax'os was sacred to Bacchus. Pa'ros was celebrated for its 
marble, and also as the birth-place of the renowned sculptor Praxit'cles. 

11. The inhabitants of Myc'onos, who were avaricious and rapacious, lost 
their hair at an early age : hence the epithet “ Myco'nion” was jttoverbially 
applied to a bald person. Te'nos was noted for the number of its springs; 
the waters of one of which would not mix with wine. The giants who had 
been conquered by Hercules, were said to lie buried under the island. 
Nax'os, the largest and most fertile of the Cyc'lades, is about 60 miles in 
circuit. It was sacred to Bacchus, who was said to have been born there. 
Nax'os had a city of the same name. 

12. An'dros was fertile and well cultivated. The inhabitants of Ce'os 

were noted for their mo¬ 
desty and sobriety, in oppo¬ 
sition to the Chi'ans; hence 
the adage, “Ceus non Chi¬ 
us,” Ce'os is not Chi'os. Se- 
ri'phus and Gy'arus were 
used by the Romans as 
places of banishment: on 
the former, Cas'sius Seve'rus 
died in exile. Cyth'nus was 
noted for its cheese; Oli'ar- 
os or Anti-Paros for its grot¬ 
to, or rather, series of grot¬ 
toes, the roof, the floor, and 
the sides of which are eru 

did this island contain? 8. Which were the Thessalian islands? What 
did the women of Halonesus do? What is said of Preparethus ? Scyros? 
9. Describe the Cyclades. 10. What is said of Delos? What is said of 
the Hyperboreans ? For what was Delos distinguished ? What is said of 
Naxos? Paros ? 11. Of the inhabitants of Myconos ? For what was Tcnos 
noted? What is said of the giants ? Of Naxos? 12. Of Andros? The 
inhabitants of Ceos ? For what purpose were Seriphus and Gyarus used ? 
For what was Cythnus noted ? Oliaros ? For what was Melos memora 
ble ? Name the principal islands. 








GREECE. 


101 


jrely covered with a dazzling encrustation, as white as sncw\ Me’Ios was 
Memorable for the sufferings of its inhabitants for want of food, when be¬ 
sieged by the Athenians, w'hence a 44 Mele'an famine” became a proverb. 
The other principal islands were Cimo'las, Polyas gos, Scy'ros and Rhene'a. 

Map No. 2.— What islands lie north of Crete? What island due east? 
What part of Asia Minor northeast ? To what part of the United States do 
these islands correspond in latitude ? How t long is Crete ? How wide ? 
What mountains in Crete? What mountain in the centre? How high is 
it? Which is the most eastern promontory? Western? Southern? 
What islands on the coast of Crete ? Point out the cities named in the text. 

Map No. 3.—In what direction does Euboea lie from Hellas ? What strait 
separated it from Locris, Bceotia, and Attica? What gulf separated it 
from Thessaly ? What is the length of Euboea, by the scale ? The great¬ 
est breadth ? The smallest? The average? What mountains in Euboea? 
What towns ? What islands lay northeast ? Southeast ? Point out the 
Thracian islands. What towns in Thasos ? Samothrace? Imbros? 
Tow r ns in Lemnos ? Point out the Thessalian islands. What distance, by 
the scale, is the nearest from Thessaly ? The most distant ? Point out tho 
Cyclades. What sea on the northwest? Northeast? South? Which is 
the largest of the Cyclades? The most northern ? Southern? Eastern? 
Western ? What island lay west of Delos ? Northeast ? 

-40- 

THE GREEK ISLANDS —[CONTINUED.J 

1. The Spor'ades lay east and south of the Cyc'lades. They 
received their name from being scattered or sown along the coast 
of Asia Minor, and over the adjacent seas. Part of them were 
included in Asia, and part in Europe. The principal of the Eu¬ 
ropean islands were The'ra, Pholegan'dros, Sici'nus, Pos, Amor'- 
gos, An'aphe, Astypalas'a, and Car'pathus. 

2. The'ra was fabled to have been formed of a clod of earth thrown from 

the ship Argo : Cyre'ne, in Africa, was settled by a colony from hence. I'os 
was the burial-place of Homer; his mother was a native of the island. 
Amor'gos was the birth-place of the poet Simon'ides. Car'pathus gave 
name to the Carpa thian sea. t 

3. The Spor'ades belonging to Asia, were Ten'edos, Les'bos, Chi'os, 
Sa mos, Ica'ria, Patmos, Cos, Rhodes, and some smaller islands. Ter.'edot 
was sacred to Apollo: here the Greeks retired when they pretended to raise 
the siege of Troy. Les'bos was famed for the noted writers to which it 
gave birth, as well as for its wine. The inhabitants were celebrated for 
their skill in music. Mityle'ne and Methym'na were the chief towns. 
Farther to the south was Chi'os, whose wines were deemed the best in the 
ancient world. It also contained quarries of excellent marble. 

Q. 1. What is said of the Sporades? The European islands? 2. Of 
Thera? What colony was settled from thence? What noted poet was 
buried at Ios ? Who*was born there? At Amorgos? To what did Car 
pathus give name ? 3. What were the Asiatic Sporades ? What is said 

of Tenedos ? For what was Lesbos famed ? For what were the inhabit¬ 
ants celebrated ? Name the chief towns. What island lay south ? What 

9 * 






/ 


102 CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

4. Sa'moa was sacred to Ju'no, and was the birth-place of the philosopher 
Pythag'oras. Ica'ria gave name to the Ica'rian sea. In Pat'mos St. John 
wrote the Revelation. Cos was the native place of the celebrated physician 
Hippoc'rates, where a venerable plane-tree is still exhibited, under which he 
is said to have lectured. Rhodes was celebrated for its raisins, oranges, and 
roses ; also for its Colossus and its extensive commerce. Its maritime laws 
were so esteemed, that they were adopted by the Romans, from whose code 
some of them have been incorporated into the commercial regulations of 
modern times. 

5. The Io'nian Islands lay in the Io'nian sea. In the prosperous t m?s 
of Greece, each island formed a separate State. Alexander the Great, and 
subsequently the Romans, conquered them; afterwards, they firmed a part 
of the Byzan'tine empire. Corcy'ra, Leuca'dia, Ith'aca, Cephalle'nia, Za- 
cyn'thus and Cythe'ra were the largest islands. 

6. Corcy'ra was celebrated for its riches and fertility; also for the ship¬ 
wreck of Ulys'ses, and the gardens of Alcin'ous. Leuca'dia was at first a 
peninsula, but was separated from the main land by the Corinthians, to 
facilitate navigation. Leuca'te promontory was called the Lover’s Leap: 
here Sap'pho, the poetess, and other disappointed lovers, threw themselves 
into the sea. Ith'aca was the birth-place of Ulys'ses. 

7. Cephalle'nia, called anciently Sa'me, from its chief town, was less 
fertile than the other islands. Zacyn'thiis, with a capital of the same name, 
was a productive island: it contained springs of bitumen, which are still 
abundant. In Cythe'ra, Venus was received, when she rose from the sea; 
and hence that island was sacred to the goddess. It was famed for its fertility 

GREEK COLONIES. 

8. The Greeks, being a maritime people, established colonies 
on the coasts of the Mediterranean, the Eux'ine, the Propon'tis, and 
the Pa'lus Maeo'tis. These colonies were designed to extend com¬ 
merce, rather than conquest: many of them became independent, 
and some not only equalled, but even surpassed the parent States 
in wealth and power. 

9. The iEo'lian colonies of Asia Minor lay on the western coast, and in 
^the islands of Les'bos and Ten'edos. The Io'nians established themselves 

on the coasts of Lyd'ia and Ca'ria, and in the islands of Sa'mos and Chi'os. 
The Do'rians settled on the coast of Ca'ria, and in the islands of Cos and 
Rhodes. 

10. The colonies on the Propon'tis, the Eux'ine and the Pa'lus Ma?o'tis, 
Were established chiefly by the Mile'sians. On the Propon'tis were Lamp'- 
sacus, Cyz'icus, Ileracle'a, Byzan'tium and Chalce'don ; on the Euxinc 
were Heracle'a Pon'tica, Ami'sus, Trape'zus, Pha'sis, and Dioscu'rias: on 

is said of it? 4. What is said of Samos? Of Icaria? Patmos ? Of 
whom was Cos the native place, &c. ? For what was Rhodes celebrated ? 
What is said of its maritime laws ? 5. Of the Ionian islands 7 By whom 

were they conquered, &c. ? Name the largest islands. 6. What is said of 
Corcyra ? Leucadia ? Leucate promontory, &c. ? 7. Of Cephallema '! 

Zacynthus ? Cythera? 8. Where did the Greeks establish colonies? 
What is said of them ? 9. Of the .Eolian colonies ? The Ionians ? The 

Dorians? 10. Where did the Milesians settle colonies? What colonies on 
the Propontis ? On the Euxine ? Palus Mseotis ? In Thrace ? In 



ITALY. 


103 


the Pa'lus Mseo'tis was Tan'ais. In the Chcrsone'sus Tau'rica were Cher- 
Bone'sus, Eupato'ria and Panticapce'um ; and at the mouth of the Borys'. 
thenes stood Olbia : the last two were important towns. In Thrace, Ses'tos. 
Car'dia, iE'gos Pot'amos, Abde'ra and Marone'a ; and, in Macedonia, Am. 
phip'olis, Chal'cis, Olyn'thus and Potidte'a, were the most important colo¬ 
nics. 

11. The Greek colonies of southern It'aly were numerous and impoitant; 
hence that region received the name of Mag'na Grse'cia, or Great Greece; 
among these Taren'tum, Heracle'a and Brundu'sium were of Do'rian ; Syb- 
aris, Croto'na, Metapon'tuin, Poes'tum, &c., of Achas'an; and Bhe'gium, 
E'lea, Neap'olis, &c., of Io'nian origin. 

12. In Sicily, Messa'na, Syr'acuse, Hyb'la, Ge'la, Agrigen'tum, and other 
flourishing cities, were founded by the Do'rians; and Naxus, Cat ana, and 
Him'era by the Io'nians. There were also Greek colonies in Cor'sica and 
Sardin'ia; in Gaul, Massil'ia; in Spain, Sagun'tum; and in Africa, Cyre'ne. 


Map No. 2. — Where is the island of Tenedos? Lesbos? Chios? Sa¬ 
mos? Icaria ? Patmos ? Calymna? Cos? Rhodes? Which island was 
the most northern of the Sporadcs ? The most eastern ? Near what part 
of the coast of Asia Minor did each of these islands lie ? Which were the 
five largest of the Sporades ? 

Map No. 3. — Point out Thera. Pholegandros. Sicinus. Ios. Amor- 
gos. Anaphe. Astypaloea. Carpathus. (The latter will be found in Map 
No. 2.) What group lay immediately north of these islands? What sea 
lay south ? Point out Corcyra. Leucadia. Ithaca. Cephallenia. Zacyn- 
thus. Cythera. Paxus Islands. The Strophades. (These were the islands 
of the fabled Harpies.) Which was the most northern of the Ionian islands? 
The most southern? What towns were in the Ionian islands? 


- 41 


ITA LIA, OR ITALY. 

1. Italy is one of the most celebrated countries in the world 
and still retains its ancient name and limits. Under the dominior 
of the Romans, it was a well-cultivated and fertile r >gion, and 
is believed to have contained a more numerous population than in 
our days. 

2. It was called Hespe'ria, by the Greeks, on account of being 
situated westward of Greece ; and, in remote ages, it was known 
by the names of Satur'nia, Auso'nia, and iEno'tria. The term 
Italy was not generally adopted until about the commencement 

Macedonia? 11. What is said of the Greek colonies of southern Italy? 

Which were Dorian? Ionian? 12. What colonies in Sicily? In what 
other regions were colonies established ? 

Q. 1. What is Italy ? What does it still retain ? What was it under the 
Romans? 2. What was it called by the Greeks, and why? By what 
names was it known in remote ages . What is said of the term ? 3. Of 





104 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


of the Christian era: it is supposed to have been derived from 
It'alus, one of the ancient monarchs of the country. 

3. The settlement of Italy commenced at an early period, but of the date 
and circumstances of that event there is no authentic account. Rome was 
founded by Romulus, twenty-six centuries ago; at which time the adjacent 
country was inhabited by the Etrus'cans, the Lat'ins, the Sa'bines, the 
Sam'nites, and some other tribes. Among these the Romans sprang up, 
rather as a band of refugees, than as a regular State. In process of time, 
however, they subjected first the neighbouring districts, then the whole of 
Italy: afterwards, they crossed the Alps, and the seas, to conquer all the 
known world. 

4. The first influence of Roman conquest was unfavourable to civilization ; 
but an acquaintance with the matchless eloquence and philosophy of Greece, 
produced, in time, a love of learning, and a desire to rival that distinguished 
nation. During the Augustan age, poetry and the fine arts w r ere pursued 
with ardour by the Romans, and carried to a high state of perfection. The 
wealth accumulated at Rome by the spoils of so many nations, at length 
introduced an unbounded luxury, which vitiated the simplicity of ancient 
manners, and the oppressive government of successive tyrants paralyzed the 
energies of the State, and paved the way for its final overthrow. 

5. The decline of the Roman power was attended with the most dreadful 
calamities to Italy, as well as to mankind. The barbarians of the north and 
the east, allured by the reputed wealth and weakness of the empire, forced 
the barriers which the legions could no longer defend, and ravaged the 
beautiful and cultivated districts. Rome itself r the imperial capital of the 
world, became the prey of barbarians, and was successively occupied by the 
Goths, under Al'aric, and the Van'dals, under Genes'eric. 

6. Italy forms a large peninsula, lying between the Adriatic and 
Tyrrhe'num, Tyrrhenian, or Tuscan seas: the continental part is 
about equal,in extent, to the States of New York and Pennsylvania; 
but, with the islands usually considered to belong to it, the area is 
one-fourth greater. In ancient, as in modem times, its terrestrial 
boundary was chiefly the Alpes, or Alps, which separated it from 
Transalpine Gaul, Helve'tia, Nor'icum, and Illyr'icum. The 
Apenni'nus, or Apennines, e xtend through the whole length of the 
peninsula. 

7. The chief rivers were the Pa'dus, or Erid'anus, called, by some of tho 
ancients, the king of rivers. Its early name was Bodin'cus, said to signify 
bottomless. The Ath'esis, Medo'acus, Pla'vis, Ar'nus, and Ti'ber, were the 
nett most important streams; the smaller rivers are very numerous. 

the settlement of Italy ? By whom was Rome founded, &c. ? By wha 
tribes was the adjacent country inhabited? What is said of the Romans? 
What occurred in process of time ? 4. What is said of the first influence 

of Roman conquest ? Of Greece ? What occurred during the Augustan 
age ? What was the effect of the wealth accumulated at Rome, &c. ? The 
government of successive tyrants? 5. With what was the decline of the 
Roman power attended ? What followed ? What occurred to Rome itself? 

6. What does Italy form? What is said of the continental part? The 
islands? Of its terrestrial boundary? From what countries did this sepa- 
rate Italy? What is said of the Apennines? 7. Of the chief rivers’ 



ITALY. 


ia5 


8 The lakes La'rius, Verba'nus, Sevi'nus, and Bena'cus, at the base of 
the Alps, have been famous, in all ages? for their natural beauties. In the 
centre were the lakes Trasime'nus, Vulsinien'sis, and Fuci'nus. The lattei 
had no outlet, and was, therefore, subject to inundations; to obviate which 
the emperor Clau'dius employed 30,000 men, for three years, in cutting an 
outlet to the Ll'ris river. On the completion of this work, a real Nau- 
mach'ia, or navai battle was exhibited on the lake, in the presence of 
Clau'dius and Agrip'pa, and an immense multitude of spectators. 

9. Ancient Italy comprised three great divisions, viz., Ita'lia Gal'Iica 
Ita'lia Me'dia, and Magna Grafcia: the first comprised Northern Italy; i 
was called Gal'lia Cisalpi'na (Cisal'pine or hither Gaul, or Gaul within the 
Alps): the second comprised Central Italy ; it was called Ita'lia Propria 
(Italy Proper), from being inhabited by nations deemed purely Italian: the 
third comprised southern Italy; it was called Magna Grse'cia (Great Greece), 
from the number and fame of the Greek colonies there established. 

gal'lia cisalpi'na, OR CISAL'PINE GAUL. 

10. Gal'lia Cisalpi'na lay directly south of the Alps: it ex 
tended from Gaul to Illyricum, and was inhabited by a portion of 
the Gal'lic nation. These people were, for a long period, formi¬ 
dable to the Romans: they once took Rome itself; but the for¬ 
tune of the latter prevailed, and the last of the Italian Gauls was 
subjected about the close of the second Punic war. 

11. When firmly attached to the sway of Rome, this region became the 
best cultivated and most populous part of Italy ; it was noted for the abun- 
dance of its wine, grain, fruits, and wool. Cic'ero styled it “ the flower of 
Italy, the support of the empire, and the ornament of its dignity.” 

12. Cisal'pine Gaul was divided by the river Pa'dus into two separate ter- 
ritorics. Gaflia Transpada'na lay north, and Gal'lia Cispada'na south of 
that stream : Gal'lia Toga'ta (Cloaked Gaul) was another name bestowed on 
northern Italy, after the inhabitants had adopted the Roman dress and man¬ 
ners, and wor.e the cloak or toga. Ligu'ria was a district in the southwest, 
and Vene'tia another in the northeast part of Cisal'pine Gaul. His'tria was 
the smallest and most eastern division. 


Map No. 4. — Point out the Adriatic sea. The Tyrrhenum sea. The 
Alps. The Apennines. Gallia Transpadana. Gallia Cispadana. Liguria. 
Venetia. Histria. The rivers mentioned in the text. The lakes. How 
many statute miZe. is Italy in length, by the scale ? Roman miles ? What 
is its greatest breadth ? From the mouth of the Tiber, northeast? From 
the gulf of Terina to the Scylacian gulf? With what part of the United 
States does Italy in N. lat. 44° correspond ? In lat. 42° ? Lat. 40° ? Lat. 
38° ? With which of the States does Sicily correspond in latitude ? 


8. Of the lakes at the base of the Alps ? In the centre? Lake Fucinus ? 
The emperor Claudius ? What was exhibited there ? 9. What did ancient 

Italy comprise ? Northern Italy, &c ? Central? Southern? 10. Describe 
the position of Gallia Cisalpina. By whom was it inhabited ? What is said of 
these people ? When was the last of the Italian Gauls subjected ? II. What 
did this region become, under the sway of Rome ? For what was it noted ? 
What did Cicero style it? 12. How was it divided by the Padus? Wha> 
other name was bestowed ? Where was Liguria ? Venetia? Histria? 




106 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY 


- 42 - 

f i 

GALLIA CISALPI'NA — [CONTINUED.] 

1. Mediola'num, now Milan', was the most important city north 
of the Pa'dus; it was at first the capital of the Insu'brian Gauls; 
under the Romans it acquired fame and prosperity, and was sur- 
named Novae Athe'nae (New Athens), from the liberal arts being 
there highly cultivated. In the decline of the empire, when 
.he emperors left Rome, it was chosen as the capital; it was after¬ 
wards taken by the Goths and Burgun'dians, when 300,000 of the 
inhabitants were put to the sword. 

2. North of Mediola'nurn lay the Rau'diiCampi (Raudian Plains), famous 
for the overthrow of the Cim'bri by Ma'rius: westward was the Tici'nus 
river, where Han'nibal obtained his first victory over the Romans. Augusta 
Praeto'ria was built in honour of Augustus. Not far from hence Han'nibal 
passed the Alps, and entered Italy, where for sixteen years, he maintained 
himself against the power of Rome. 



Hannibal crossing the Alps. 


3. Augusta Taurino'rum, the capital of the Tauri'ni, was burnt by Han ni- 
bal because the inhabitants opposed him. Here, several centuries after 
wards, Constantine defeated Magnen'tius. Co'mum was the birth-place of 
the younger Pliny. Cremo'na, which still retains its ancient name, was a 
town of some note. Sir'mio was the favourite residence of Catul'lus. Man', 
lua was, in ancient limes, a considerable city; it still exists: near it was 
the village of Andes, where Virgil was born. Bedri'acum was noted for two 


Q. 1. What is said of Mediolanum ? What was its surname? What 
occurred in the decline of the empire? Afterwards? 2. What lay north 
of Mediolanum ? What took place there ? Westward ? What is said of 
Augusta Pretoria ? Of Hannibal ? 3. Of Augusta Taurinorum ? What 

occurred there several centuries afterwards? Who was born at Comum ? 
What is said of Cremona? Sirmio ? Mantua? Andes? Bedriacum? 










ITALY. 107 

battles, in one of which Gal'ba was overcome by O'tho, and, in the other, 
Vitel'lius defeated O'tho. 

4. Vene'tia was a district which lay at the head of the Adriat'ic 
Sea, the inhabitants of which were, from an early period, friendly 
to the Romans. The soil and climate were excellent, and the 
cattle and horses were very superior; the latter often gained prizes 
in the races of the Grecian games. His'tria, or ls'tria, lay east of 
Vene'tia: it was once a part of Illyr'icum, but was added to Cisal'* 
pine Gaul by Augustus. The inhabitants were for a long time 
noted pirates. 

5. Among the chief towns of Vene'tia were Pata'vium, the birth-place of 
Livy; Vero'na, the birth-place ofCatul'lus and Pliny the naturalist; A'dria, 
from which the Adriat'ic sea received its name; and Alti'num, noted for its 
wool. Ju'lium Car'nicum was the chief town of the Car'nii. Nore'ia was 
famed for its gold mines, and for the defeat of Cne'iusCarbo by the Cim'bri. 

6. Aquile'ia was, from its splendour, sometimes called Roma Secun'da; it 
was strongly fortified, and was long the chief defence of Italy in this 
quarter. It withstood a siege against Maximi'nus, A. D. 238, who, on 
account of his cruelty, was slain by his own soldiers before its walls. At'- 
tila, A. D. 452, took and razed it to the ground. Terges'te was a Roman 
colony, and gave its name to the gulf on which it stood. In His'tria were 
jEgi'da, Paren'tium,and Pola; the latter contained a Roman amphitheatre 
of sufficient size to accommodate 20,000 spectators. It still exists, and is in 
tolerable preservation. 



Amphitheatre of Pola. 


7. Ligu'ria lay along the Ligus'tic gulf, from the river Va'rus to 
the Ma'cra. The inhabitants were long determined enemies of 
Rome, and joined the arms of Han'nibal, after he had crossed the 
Alps. They were only subdued by the Romans after a war of 80 


4. Describe the position of Venetia. What is said of the inhabitants ? The 
soil and climate ? The cattle, &c. ? Describe the position of Histria. 
What was it added to ? By whom ? 5. What is said of Patavium ? Ve¬ 
rona? Adria? Julium Carnicum ? 6. What was Aquileia sometimes 

called, &c. ? Against whom did it stand a siege ? What w>as his fate ? 
What'did Attila do ? What is said of Tergeste ? Name the chief towns in 
Histria. What did Pola contain? 7. Describe the position of Liguria. 
What is said of the inhabitants? What did the Ligurians possess? 










108 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


years’ duration. The Ligu'rians possessed all the courage and 
hardihood usual with mountaineers, but were said to be vain and 
deceitful. . 

8. On the coast of Ligu'ria lay Nicae'a, a Milesian colony; Por'tus Her'culis 
Monce'ci, founded by Hercules; Al'bium Inteme'lium, the chief town of the 
Inteme'lii, and Al'bium Ingau'num, the chief town of the Ingau'ni. Gen'ua, 
at the head of the Ligus'tic gulf, was burnt by Mago during the second Puni 
war, but was rebuilt by the Romans: it is now Genoa, noted as the birth 
place of Columbus. 

9. North of the Apennines was Augusta Vagienno'rum, the chief town 
of the Vagie'ni, and Ceba, noted for its cheese. Pollen'tia was famous for its 
wool: here the Romans, under Stil'icho, were defeated by the Goths. Al'ba 
Pompe'ia was the birth-place of the emperor Per'tinax. Derto'na and Forum* 
Ful'vii were Roman colonies. Placen'tia was burnt by Hamil'car, at the 
end of the second Punic war. In its vicinity, on the banks of the Tre'bia, 
Hannibal gained his second victory over the Romans. 

10. Par'ma was famous for its wool: here Cas'sius Seve'rus, the poet, and 
Macro'bius, the critic, were born. At Mu'tina, D., Brutus was closely be¬ 
sieged by Antony, until the latter, on his defeat at Forum Gallo'rum, raised 
the siege. Forum Gallo'rum was noted for two battles on the same day 
fought near it, one of which was between Antony and the consul Pansa, 
advantageous to the former; in the second, Antony was defeated by the 
consul Hir tius. Bono'nia suffered much in the civil wars, but was after¬ 
wards restored by Augustus. 

11. At Re'gium Lep'idi the elder Brutus was put to death, after his sur¬ 
render, by Pompey. At Faven'tia, Carbo’s party was defeated by Syl'la’s. 
Spi'na was once rich and flourishing, and presented more valuable offerings 
at Del'phi than any other city. Raven'na became the chief naval station on 
the Adriatic, until Augustus constructed a new station, called Por'tus Clas'sis. 
When Rome was occupied by the barbarians, Raven'na became the resi- 
dence of the emperors of the west. 


Map No. 4.— Point out the towns mentioned in the text north of the 
Padus river. The towns in Venetia. In Histria. The towns south of the 
Padus. What towns lay on the Ligustic gulf? On the Adriatic sea ? 
Point out the Raudian Plains. Ticinus river. Trcbia river. When were 
battles fought at those places ? Also at Augusta Taurinorum ? Pollentia ? 
Bedriacum ? Verona ? Over what part of the Alps did Hannibal pass ? 
At what period? How many years since that time? Name the heights 
of the different sections of the Alps — as the Maritime Alps, &c. The 
Apennines. What is the length of lake Verbanus ? Larius ? Sevinus ? 
Benacus ? What is the length of the Padus river ? The Athesis ? Name 
the chief tributaries of the Padus. 


8. What towns lay on the coast of Liguria ? What is said of Genoa 

9. What towns lay north of the Apennines ? What is said of Alba Pom- 

peia? Dertona and Forum Fulvii? Placentia? What took place on the 
banks of the Trebia? 10. What is said of Parma? Mutina? Forum 
Gallorum ? Bononia ? 11. What occurred at Regium Lepidi ? Faventia ? 

What is said of Ravenna ? 


* Forum was a name given, in Roman geography, to various places where a public marke 
was established, or where the Praetor held a court of justice. It seem9 to have been nearly cqui 
valent to oir term County Town. 






ITALY PROPER. 


1 Italy Proper extended southward from Gal'jia Cispada'nf, 
to the rivers Silau'ris and Frento. Its divisions were Etru ria, 
La tium, Um'bria, Pice'num, Campa'nia, Sam'nium, and the terri¬ 
tory of the Sabi'ni, or Sa'bines. In remote times it was inhabited 
by various nations, who were nearly always at war with each 
other; but, in process of time, they all became incorporated with 
the Roman people. 


etru'ri a. 

2. Etru'ria, now Tus'cany, the country of the Etrus'cans, was a 
highly cultivated district. The inhabitants were distinguished for 
their early civilization; ar.d, at the time when the surrounding 
nations were sunk in barbarism, they had attained a respectable 
eminence in the arts and sciences. 

3. The Etrus'cans formed a confederation of twelve cities, each of which 
was a republic within itself. By their skil] in war and navigation they 
gained, for a time, a great ascendancy over the neighbouring States; but, 
becoming at length disunited, they were overpowered by the Romans. 
Many of their sculptured gems, vases, and paintings, still exist: they are 
highly prized by artists and antiquaries, and, in some respects, have never 
been surpassed. 

4. In the eastern part of Etru'ria, on the banks of lake Trasime'nus, Han- 
nibal vanquished the consul Flamin'ius. Near the coast was lake Pri'lis, not 
far from which the Gauls and Ges'atie were defeated by the Romans. Lu'na 
was famous for its cheese and its fine marble. Pi'soe was celebrated for its hot 
springs. Volater'rse was the birth-place of the satirist Per'seus. Near the 
iatter the Etrus'cans were defeated by the Romans : the city afterwards sus¬ 
tained a two years’ siege against Syl'la. 

5. Populo'nium was the chief naval arsenal of Etru'ria. Tarquin'ii was the 
birth-place of Tarquin'ius Pris'cus. Coe're, or Agyl'la, was noted for the hos- 
pitality shown by the inhabitants to those who fled hither from Rome, when 
it was besieged by the Gauls. At Peru'sia Lu'cius Antonius was besieged, 
and finally starved out by Augustus. Clu'sium was the capital of Porsen'na, 
king of Etru'ria. Veii sustained a siege of ten years against the Romans. 

6. Fale'rii was taken by Camil'lus : during the siege he won the confidence 

Q 1 How far did Italy proper extend southward ? What were its divi¬ 
sions ? How was it inhabited in remote times ? 2. Describe Etruria. 

What is said of the inhabitants ? 3. What did the Etruscans form ? What 

did they gain by their skill in war, &c. ? What was their fate? What is 
said of their sculptured gems, &c. ? 4. What occurred on the banks of 

lake Tiasimenus? Near lake Prilis? What is said of Lana? Pisa} ? 
Volaterree ? What took place near the latter city ? 5. What was Populo- 

uium? Tarquinii? What is said of Caere? Perusia ? Clusium ? 6. By 

whom was Falerii taken ? What occurred during the siege ? What is 




CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


m 

of the inhabitants by placing in their hands a treacherous preceptor, who 
offered to deliver to the Romans the sons of the principal men of the city, 
who were his pupils. At Pisto'ria, Cat'iline was defeated and killed. Off 
the coast of Etru'ria was the island of Ilva, famous for its iron mines, and 
known, in modern times, as the place to which the emperor Napoleon was 
exiled. Capra'ria was noted for its goats. To Plana'sia, Pos'thumus Agrippa 
was banished by Augustus. Urgos and Igil'iuin were islands that belonged 
to Etru'ria. 


um'bria. 

7. Um'bria derived its name from the Um'bri, who are supposed 
to have been amongst the earliest inhabitants of Italy, and are 
believed to have been of Celtic origin. The Etrus'cans, Sa bines 
and Lat'ins, were their descendants. The Sen'ones, a Gallic tribe, 
drove the Um'brians into the mountains, but the Romans finally 
conquered the district. 



Caesar crossing the Rubicon, B. C. 49. 

8. Among the principal places in Um'bria were Sar'sina, where Plau'tus, 
the comic poet, was born, and Arim'inum, the first, city taken by Csesar 
after he passed the Ru'bicon. It was by crossing this stream, the boundary 
of his government, with an armed force, that Csesar disobeyed the commands 
of the Senate, and began the war between himself and Pompey, which 
resulted in his acquiring the supreme authority in Rome. 

9. Some of the other towns were Nuce'ria, famed for its manufactures of 
wooden vessels. Meva'nia, the birth-place of Proper'tius, a noted poet, and 
Interam'na, where the historian Tac'itus, and also the emperor of the same 
name, were born. Near Forum Sempro'nii, As'drubal, the brother of Han'ni. 
bal, then in command of a strong reinforcement, was defeated and slain by 
the Romans, B. C. 207. His head was severed from his body, and was 
thrown, a few days afterwards, into his brother’s camp. 


said of Camillus ? Pistoria? Ilva? Capraria? Planasia? 7. From whom 
did Umbria derive its name ? What is said of their origin ? Descendants ? 
The Sennones? 8. Who was born at Sarsina? What is said of Arimin 
um ? Of Csesar crossing th; Rubicon ? 9. Of Nuceria ? Mevania ? Inter 













ITALY. 


Ill 


sabi'ni or sa'bines. 

10 . The Sabi'ni, or Sa'bines, derived their name from the god 
Sa'bus, their first leader or progenitor. Their country lay north 
east of Rome, and between the Apennine mountains and the 
Tiber river; it was fertile in pasturage as well as in oil, fruits,and 
wine. 

11. These people were brave and hardy, and were noted for 
their honesty and simplicity of manners. They were among the 
first who took up arms against the Romans, which they did to 
avenge the rape of their women.* The Sa'bines had subsequently 
many contests with them, but they were at length conquered by 
the Roman general Cu'rius Denta'tus, B. C. 292. 

12. Among the towns of the Sa'bines, Nur'sia was noted for the coldness 
of its situation, and Cutil'ice for its mineral waters. Rea'te was situated in a 
pleasant, fertile valley ; its luxuriant meadows bore the name Ro'sci Cam pi, 
and are still called La Rose. Cu'res was the birth-place of Nu'ina Pompil'ius. 
Nomen'tum was famed for its wine. Near it was the little river Al'li-a, 
where the Gauls defeated the Romans, and then took Rome. 

13. Fide'nce was remarkable for its perseverance in resisting the Roman 
yoke. Aquae Al'bulae was noted for its sulphur springs. Cornic'ulum was 
the supposed birth-place of Ser'vius Tul'Iius. Antem'nse was one of the first 
towns that resisted the rape of the Sabine women. Near it was Mount 
Sa'cer, whither the Roman populace retired, in a turmoil which caused the 
election of the tribunes. 

__ 

Map No. A. —Point out the Macra river. The Rubicon. Silauris. Frento. 
These rivers were the north and soutli boundaries of Italy Proper, on the 
Adriatic and Tyrrhenum seas. Wherfe is Etruria? Latium ? Umbria? 
Piccnum? Campania? Samnium ? Sabini ? Point out the Arnus river. 
The Umbro. Tiber. Clanis. Where is lalfe Trasimenus? Lake Prilis ? 
Lake Fucinus? Point out the towns in Etruria mentioned in the text.. 
Point out Pistoria. Faesulae. Piste. Florentia. Volaterrae. Arretium. 
Cortona. Clusium. Perusia. Vulsinii. Falerii. Veii. These weie the 
twelve confederated cities of Etruria. Point out the towns in Umbria men¬ 
tioned in the text. In Picenum. In the Sabini territory. When were 
battles fought at lake Trasimenus ? Pistoria ? Forum Sempronii ? 

amna ? What occurred near Forum Sempronii ? 10. From whom did the 

Sabini or Sabines derive their name ? Describe the position of their coun¬ 
try. 11. What was the character of these people? What were they among 
the first to do? What is said of the Sabines and Romans? ? 12. What is 

said of Nursia? Cutilire ? Re ate ? Nomentum? What occurred at the 
river Allia ? 13. What is said of Fidenae ? Aquae Albulce ? Corniculum ? 

Antemnae ? Mount Sacer ? 


* At first, the Romans were without wives, a deficiency which Romulus resolved to supply by 
stratagem ; accordingly, he invited the neighbouring Submes, wth their wives and daughters, to 
a feast, to which they came unarmed. In the midst of the festival, the Romans rushed upon the 
women, and each one provided himself with a female companion. This rude wooing was called 
the “ rape of the Sabinesit produced a war between the two States, but it was soon termi 
nated by the entreaties of the abducted women, who had, in the mean time, become the wives 
of the Romans. 






112 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


-44- 

PICE'NUM, SAM'NIUM, AND C AMPA'NIA. 

1. Pice'num lay southeast of Um'bria, and between the Ap'en 
nines and the Adriatic sea. It was inhabited principally by the 
Pice'ni or Picen'tes, a branch of the Sa'bine nation, who gave 
their name to the country. It was one of the most fertile regions 
of Italy: the northern districts were famous for apples, and the 
southern for wine. 

2. Anco'na, which retains its ancient name, was the chief town of Pice' 
mini; it was a great naval station of the Romans. The harbour was im¬ 
proved by Tra'jan ; and the grateful citizens erected to him, in return, a 
triumphal arch, which is still standing. As'culum Pice'num was an im¬ 
portant town, and was taken by Pompcy, after a long siege: it was cele¬ 
brated for its temple of Venus, and its manufacture of purple dye. Ha'dria 
was much esteemed for its wine. Sul'mo was the birth-place of Ov'id, and 
Amiter'num, of Sal'lust. Corfin'ium was the capital of the Pelig'ni. 
Among the other towns were Fir'mium, Atern'um, Lari'num, &c. 


sam'nium. 

3. Sam'nium lay in the interior of Italy, east of La'tium and 
Campa'nia; it was the country of the Sam'nites, a people similar 
to the Sa'bines. They bore an inveterate hatred to the Romans, 
but were finally conquered by them, in the time of Syl'la, after a 
war of 70 years’ duration. 

4. The Sam'nites cultivated various arts and manufactures, which they 
borrowed, as well as their laws, from the Greeks. Their form of govern¬ 
ment was. democratic; and, at the commencement of a war, they were 
accustomed to choose a common general to command the armies of the di£ 
ferent tribes. 

5. Among the towns of the Sam'nites were Sam'nis, the capital, and Bene 
ven'tum, near which Pyr'rhus, king of Epi'rus, who came to assist the 
Sam'nites against the Romans, was totally defeated, B. C. 274. Alli'fae was 
noted for its pottery. Cau'dium gave name to the Fur'cae Caudi'nae (Cau'- 
dine Forks), a narrow defile between two mountains : here a Roman army 
was compelled to pass under the yoke, by the Sam'nites, and the Roman* 
were, in consequence, obliged to make a disgraceful peace, B. C. 321. 


Q. 1. Describe Picenum. The inhabitants. Its fertility. 2. What is 
said of Ancona ? The inhabitants ? Asculum Piccnum? Hadria? Sul- 
mo ? Amiternum ? Name the other towns. 3. Describe the position of 
Samnium, &c. What were the feelings of_the Samnites towards the Ro 
mans i What occurred to them ? 4. What did they cultivate ? What did 
they borrow from the Greeks? What was their form of government? 
What did they do at the commencement of a war? 5. What town was 
their capital ? What is said of Beneventum ? Allifae ? Caudium ? 6. De 





ITALY. 


113 


campa'nia. 

6. Campa'nia lay along the coast of the Tyrrhe'num sea, from 
the river Li'ris to the Sil'arus ; it was a beautiful and fertile die- 
tricl, and is still described as the most charming province of Italy. 
Many of the most distinguished Romans resorted thither and built 
themselves splendid country houses. 

7. It underwent more frequent changes of inhabitants, in early times 
than any other part of the peninsula. Attracted by the fertility of the soil 
the beauty of the climate, and its commodious havens, successive invaders 
poured in and dispossessed each other, until the superior ascendancy of 
Rome left her the undisputed mistress of this garden of Italy. 

8. Cap'ua was the chief city of Campa'nia ; it declared in favour of Han', 
nibal; but its voluptuous pleasures ruined his veteran soldiers, after they 
had vanquished all the armies of Rome. On its subsequent submission to 
the Romans, many of the citizens were punished witli death, or sold into 
slavery. Close to Cap'ua was Casili'num, which endured such extreme 
famine during its siege by Hannibal, that a mouse, it is said, sold for 200 
denarii—about $30 of our money. 

9. Vena'frum was famed for its olives, and Mount Mas'sicus for its wine: 
near it were the vineyards which produced the renowned Faler'nian wine, 
so boasted of by the voluptuous poets of Rome. At Liter'num,Scip'io Afri- 
ca'nus lived in exile. Bai'se.was noted for its warm springs and baths; the 
Romans viewed it as the most enchanting spot on earth : it was crowded 
with the villas of their great men. Here was the academy of Cic'ero, the 
favourite haunt of Vir'gil, and the palace of Lucul'lus. 

10. Neap'olis, or Parthen'ope, was a beautiful city, of Greek origin; the 
inhabitants were effeminate and luxurious. Near the city was the tomb of 
Vir'gil, whose remains were brought hence from Brundu'sium, where he 
died. A few miles from Neap'olis was Mount Vesu'vius, the only volcano 
in continental Europe, and one of the most active in the world. Hercula'- 
neum and Pompe'ii, cities which lay at the base of the mountain, were both 



Pompeii. 


scribe the position of Campania. What is said of it ? What is its present 
description? What did many of the Romans do? 7. What is said of its 
changes? What attracted invaders ? What is said of Rome ? 8. Of Ca- 

pua ? Hannibal, &c. ? What occurred on its subsequent submission? 
What is said ofCasilinum ? 9. OfVenafrum ? Mount Massicus ? Liternum ? 
Baire ? 10. Describe Neapo ,; s and its inhabitants. What was near the city ? 
What is said of Mount Vesuvius ? Of Herculaneum and Pompeii ? II. Hov 

10 * H 






114 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


overwhelmed by an eruption of ashes and lava, A. D. 79. The elder Pliny 
at the same time, lost his life by venturing too near the volcano. 

11. These cities remained unknown for more than sixteen centuries, but . 
were at length discovered, Hercula'neum in 1713, and Pompe'ii in 1750: 
the latter has been nearly all uncovered, and travellers may now walk 
through a great extent of this ancient town. It exhibits the full picture of 
what a Roman city was, habitations, temples, baths, the shops of the differ¬ 
ent trades, the implements they used, and even the materials on which they 

• ere employed. 

12. No'la was a strongly fortified city; here Han'nibal was repulsed by 
Marcel'lus, and here, subsequently, Augustus died. Bells were said to have 
been invented and first used in No'la. Saler'num was an ancient city; the 
hills in the vicinity were famed for their wine. Off the coast lay the island 
iEna'ria, named from the earthen casks made in it. Ca'preae was the 
scene of the infamous debaucheries of Tibe'rius It is now a great resort 
for quails, and is called the bishopric of quails. 


Map No. 4. — What sea bounded Picenum on the east ? What mountains 
on the west ? What river formed its north boundary ? Southern ? Point 
out Ancona. Asculum Picenum. Hadria. Sulmo. Amiternum. Cor* 
finium and the other towns. What districts lay west of Samnium ? 
East? What river separated Samnium, in part, from Campania? Point 
out Samnis. Boneventum. Allifce. Caudium. What sea bounded Cam 
pania on the west? What river separated it from Latium ? From Luca- 
nia ? What river, in part, from Samnium ? What islands lay off the coast 
of Campania? Where is Mount Vesuvius? How high is it ? Where is 
Mount Massicus ? Where is Capua ? Venafrum ? Liternum ? Baise ? 
Neapolis ? Herculaneum? Pompeii? Nola? Salerrium ? On what 
gulf are Neapolis, Herculaneum, and Pompeii ? On what gulf is Salernum T 


-45 


LA'TIUM. 

1. La'tium lay on the west side of Italy, between the rivers 
Tiber and Liris; in early times it was inhabited by the Lat'ins, 
Au'sones, Ru'tuli, Sa'bines, Vol'sci, and other petty tribes. The 
name was derived from Lati'nus, one of its first monarchs. It was 
the original country of the Romans, and contained the metropolis 
of their empire; it varied in extent, at different times, but it pro¬ 
bably never exceeded, in area, the State of Rhode Island. 

2. The empire of Rome was the most potent that ever existed * 
is power was feared by all the surrounding nations, and the title 


long did these cities remain unknown? When were they discovered? 
What is the present state of Pompeii ? 12. What is said of Nola ? Of Saler¬ 

num ? The island of iEnaria ? Caprese ? 

Q. 1. What is said of Latium ? The early inhabitants ? The name ? 
Of what people was it the original country ? What did it contain ? What 
was its extent? 2. What was the empire of Rome? What is said of its 





ITALY. 


115 


of a Roman citizen was, for hundreds of years, regarded as a high 
and envied distinction. The foundation of the empire commenced 
'with the building of the city of Rome by Rom'ulus, B. C. 753. 
It flourished first as a kingdom, for a period of 244 years ; secondly, 
as a republic, for 479 years; and then as an empire, for 506 
years. Its duration was 1229 years, ending A. D. 476, with the 
extinction of the western, or Roman empire proper. 

3. The eastern, Byzan'tine or Lower Greek empire, was, in reality, a 
continuation of the Roman dominion, but with diminished extent and power. 
The Adriatic Sea was its western limit, and its capital was Constantinople. 
It commenced A. D. 395, when Theedo'sius divided the Roman empire 
between his two sons, Arca'dius and Hono'rius : the first became emperor 
of the east, and the other of the west. The eastern empire continued until 
A. D. 1453. Constantinople was then captured by the Turks, and a new 
State was founded on the ruins of the former. 

4. The authority of Rom'ulus extended, at first, only about five miles 
from the walls of the city he had built: but he and his successors soon en¬ 
larged their territories. During the republic, the bounds of the State were 
rapidly increased by the conquests of its victorious generals, and finally, a 
large portion of the known world w T as subjected to the sway of Rome. 

5. Under Augustus, the empire had reached the summit of its power; but, 
in the time of Trajan, it was still farther enlarged in extent. It then com¬ 
prised the finest portions of the eastern continent, including all Europe, from 
the Atlantic to the Eux'ine sea, south of the Rhine and the Danube ; in Asia, 
the entire region from the Cau'casus mountains and the Eux'ine to the Red 
sea, and from the Mediterranean to the river Tigris ; in Africa, Egypt, and 
all the other countries north of the great desert, besides every island in the 
Mediterranean sea. The whole was nearly equal, in extent, to modern 
Europe, with a population estimated at 120 millions ; but the latter was 
probably much greater. 

6. The warlike character of the Romans, for which they were distin¬ 
guished from their first origin, contributed to their success as conquerors. 
Unrivalled skill in military exercises, and pre-eminent ability in their com¬ 
manders, served to render them superior to the nations around them. War 
and agriculture were their chief employments. A large portion of the people 
was directly engaged in the military service. The proportion of soldiers, 
compared with the whole population, was often as high as one to eight. 

7. The most esteemed reward of a victorious Roman general, was a trium¬ 
phal procession. It formed a splendid spectacle, consisting of the senate, 
the citizens, and the victorious army, which, marching through the princi- 
pa. streets, proceeded up the Via Sacra, or Sacred Way, to the Capitol. The 


po ver ? The title of a Roman citizen ? When did the empire commence, 
Ate.? What was it at first? Secondly? Thirdly? What is said of it* 
duration ? When did it end ? 3. Describe the eastern empire. Its west¬ 

ern limits, «3oc. When did it commence ? Who was emperor of the east? 
Of the west? When did the eastern empire terminate? What then oc¬ 
curred? 4. What is said of the authority of Romulus? Of the republic? 
5. Of the empire under Augustus? Trajan? What did (he empire then 
comprise? What is said of its extent? Population? 6. What is said of 
the Romans ? Their skill, &c. ? Their employments ? What proportion 
were soldiers? 7. What is said of a triumphal procession? Describe it 



CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


116 

victor, plainly but richly dressed, rode in a gilded chariot, drawn by white 
horses. In the procession were borne the spoils and emblems of the con¬ 
quered provinces and cities, followed by the captive princes and generals in 
chains. Every Roman commander aspired to the honour of a triumph, and 
considered it the highest distinction to be thought worthy of it. 



8. The Romans were, after the manner of the Athenians, separated into 
several classes. Rom'ulus divided them into three tribes; 1. the Romans 
2. the Sabines; 3. the other foreigners. Ser'vius Tullius afterwards divided 
the citizens into six classes, according to amount of property. These classes 
were subdivided into 193 centuries. In order to preserve this distribution, a 
census and valuation was taken every five years. 

9. Each of these classes had arms peculiar to itself, and a certain place 
in the army according to the valuation of their fortunes. Those of the first 
class were called Clas'sici; all the others were said to be infra Clas'sem 
hence Clas'sici auctores for the most approved authors. The first class com¬ 
prised 100 centuries, and furnished more men and money for the public ser¬ 
vice than all the rest of the State besides. They had likewise a predomi¬ 
nant influence in the assemblies of the people. 

10. Another division of the Romans was into Patricians and Plebeians. 
The formbr comprised the most wealthy and powerful families, and were the 
descendants of the senators or fathers (Patres, hence Patricians) appointed 
by Romulus. At first, the Senators amounted to 100 in number, afterwards 
200, then 300 On the fall of the republic, the Senate consisted of 1000 
members, but the emperor Augustus reduced it to 600. The Plebeians# 
comprised the farmers, mechanics, merchants and soldiers, as well as the 
poor, who lived principally by the largesses made by the State, or by the 
rich. The Plebs rustica comprised the agricultural classes; the Plebs u> 
bana, the lesidents of cities and towns. 

The victoi, &c. 8. How were the Romans divided by Romulus? By 

Servius Tullius? What were the subdivisions, &c.? How was the order 
preserved ? 9. What is said of the arms and position of each class ? What 

was the first called ? The others? What did the first comprise? What 
did they furnish? What is said of their influence? 10. What other 
division existed ? What did the first comprise ? How many senators were 
there at first? Afterwards? What did Augustus do? What did the Pie 
Ueians comprise ? The Plebs rustica ? The Plebs urbana ? 

































ITALY. 


117 


Map No. 4.—What sea bounded Latium on the west and south? What 
river separated it from Etruria? From Campania? .What islands lay 
southwest? What mountains on the east? What promontory or cape 
south ? Where are the Pontine marshes ? Many attempts have been made, 
within the last 2000 years, to drain these marshes by the construction of 
canals, &c. through them, but they still retain their ancient character. See 
Map Vicinity of Rome. Point out the Via Appia. Via Latina. Aurelia. 
Claudia, &c. These were the viae or roads constructed by the Romans : they 
commenced at the Forum, in the centre of Rome, were carried throughout 
Italy, and thence branching out in all directions, were extended to the fron¬ 
tiers of the empire. They were of great solidity, and had mile-stones placed 
on them. These roads were among the most useful and remarkable works 
of ancient times. 


-46 


LA’T IUM —[CONTINUED.] 



The Coliseum at the present day. 


1. The city of Rome was the capital of the Roman empire; it 
is often called the Eternal City, and was for 2000 years, more or 
less connected with everything great and memorable enacted in the 
civilized world. In its days of prosperity, its magnificence and 
uxury were unrivalled ; it was enriched, by its generals, with the 
spoils of a hundred nations, and the wealth of the most potent 
monarchs -was poured into its coffers. 

2. Rome is on the east side of the Tiber river, 15 miles from the sea; it 
was built, at first, on two, but afterwards, chiefly on seven hills; hence it 
was called Septicollis, or city of the seven hills. The city was surrounded 
by walls, first by Romulus, then by Servius Tullius, and afterwards by Au¬ 
relius and Honorius. The walls of the second were probably about nine, 
and those of the latter thirteen miles in circumference. The gates of the 
city were thirty in number. The suburbs, beyond the walls, were exten- 

Q. 1. What is said of the city of Rome, &e. ? What was it for 2000 
years? What is said of its days of prosperity? By whom and in what 
way was it enriched ? 2. Describe its position. On what was it first built ? 

Afterwards what was it called? Who surrounded it with walls? What 
wa A their circumference ? What is said of the suburbs ? The circuit of 























118 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


give* and densely peopled. The circuit of the city and its environs, about 
the year A. D. 250, was estimated at 50 miles, and the population at from 
three to four millions. 

3. Rome, at this time, contained among its public buildings 420 temples, 
five theatres, two amphitheatres, seven circuses, of vast extent, and sixteen 
public baths, built of marble. Some of the latter were immense structures, 
were furnished with every convenience, and could accommodate 3000 bathers 
at the same time. From the aqueducts a prodigious number of fountain?' 
were supplied with water; many of these were remarkable for their archi¬ 
tectural beauty. The palaces, triumphal arches, columns, porticoes, and 
obelisks were almost without number, and were, for the most part, elegam 
specimens of art. 

4. The architectural splendour of this great city properly dates 
from the reign of Augustus, who boasted that he found it “ brick, 
and left it marble.” The chief aim of Augustus and the empe¬ 
rors, his successors, in the construction of the splendid buildings 
which they erected for public amusement, seems to have been to 
compensate the people for the loss of liberty by the magnificence 
of their shows and entertainments. 

i 

5. Among the chief ornaments of Rome was the Capitol; it was built on 
the Capitoline hill, the highest part of the city, and was approached from the 
Forum by 100 steps. The gates were of brass, gilded, and the whole build¬ 
ing was so copiously adorned in the same way, that the Romans called it 
the Golden Capitol. On the southwest side of the hill is the Tarpeian rock. 
Notorious criminals were often put to death by being hurled from its sum¬ 
mit. The Forum was the chief place of public assembly; in it were the 
temple of Janus and the Senate-House. The gates of the first were never 
closed during war, and so incessant were the contests in which the Romans 
were engaged, that they were shut only three times in the course of eight 
hundred years. 

6. The Senate-House was the grand legislative hall of the nation; it was 
copiously adorned with the statues of eminent warriors and statesmen. 
Here, at the foot of Pompey’s statue, Julius Ctesar was killed by Brutus, 
Cassius, and other conspirators, B. C. 44, in the 56th year of his age. This 
great general, historian, and statesman, though he usurped the supreme 
power and overthrew the liberties of his country, was the ablest ruler who 
ever wielded the destinies of Rome. 

7. The Colise'um, an immense building, though much dilapidated, still 
remains; it is a third of a mile in circumference, is more than a hundred 
feet high, and had room for 100,600 spectators. In the arena were exhibited 
the cruel fights of gladiators, in which the Romans took a pleasure, equally 


the city and environs ? Population ? 3. What is said of the public build, 

ings ? The baths ? How many could bathe at the same time ? What is 
said of the aqueducts ? Palaces? Triumphal arches, &c. ? 4. From what 

time does its architectural splendour date? Of what did Augustus boast? 
What was his chief aim, &c. ? 5. Describe the capitol. Its gates, Ac. The 
Tarpeian rock. What was the Forum? What did it contain? What is 
said of the temple of Janus? 6. Of the senate-house? What occurred at 
the foot of Pompey’s statue ? When did this event take place ? How old was 
Cffisar ? What is said of him ? 7. Describe the Coliseum. For how many 

spectators had it room ? What was exhibited there ? 8. Describe the Par*. 



ITALY. 119 

nfamous and extravagant, together with races, exhibitions of strange am 
r.ials and combats of wild beasts. 

8. The Pan'theon, or temple of 
all the gods, is now a Christian 
church; it is the best preserved 
ancient building in Rome, and is 
universally admired for its fine 
dome and its beautiful columns. 

It is 150 feet high, with walls 18 
feet thick ; there are no windows, 
but an opening in the roof, 25 feet 
in diameter, serves to light the 
interior. 

9. Os'tia, at the mouth of the 
Tiber, was the port of Rome. 

Southward, on the coast, were Laurenti'num and Lauren'tum ; the latter 
received its name from its groves of bay trees. Lavin'ium was founded by 
iEne'as, and was named after his wife Lavinia. Ar'dea was, in early 
times, the chief city of the Ru'tuli; here Camil'lus remained in exile till 
the siege of Rome by the Gauls, under Bren'nus, when lie so nobly contri¬ 
buted to the delivery of his country. 

10. Lanu'vium was the birth-place of the three An'tonines, of the actor 
Ros'cius and others. Alba Longa lay on the east side of lake Alba'nus ; it 
was long the rival of Rome, but was destroyed by Tul'lus Hostil'ius; the 
soil around it was celebrated for its fertility. Vel'itrie was the birth-place 
of Augustus, and Tus'culum of the elder Cato. Many of the wealthy Ro¬ 
mans had villas at this place, among which the villa Tuscula'num of Cicero 
may be named. 

11. At Ga'bii Rom'ulus and Re'mus were educated; near it the Gauls 
were defeated by Camil'lus, after they had sacked Rome. Colla'tia is memo¬ 
rable for the death of Lucre'tia. Tibur was a favourite place of residence 
with the Romans, who used it, at one time, as a place of banishment. Sy' 
phax died here in captivity, and here Zeno'bia, queen of Palmy'ra, spent 
the latter years of her life. 

12. Aqui'num was celebrated for its purple dye; it was the birth-place 

of Ju'venal and the emperor Pescen'nius Niger. Terraci'na was a noted 
naval station ; in the vicinity the emperor Galba was born. For mioe, in 
the southern part of La'tium, was a favourite residence of Cicero, and here 
he was murdered by order of Antony. An'tiurn was, at first, a Volscian 
city; it was the residence of Coriola'nus, after he left Rome. In the time 
of the emperors it was a noted town ; Augustus, Tiberius and Calig'ula all 
resided here for a time, and ii was the birth-place of Nero. Arpi'num was 
the native town of both Marius and Cicero; the latter often alludes to it in 
his letters. _ 

Map No. 4.— Plan of Ancient Rome. — Point out the Aventine. Capito- 
hue. Ccelian. ’ Esquiline. Palatine. Quirinal and Viminal hills. These 

theon. 9. What was Ostium ? What is said of Laurentum ? Of Lavi- 
nium ? Ardea ? 10. Who were born at Lanuvium ? What is said of Alba 

Longa? Velitr® ? Tusculum? 11. Who were born at Gabii ? Whal 
occurred near it ? What is said ofCollatia ? Of Tibur ? Who died there? 
What queen resided there? 12. What is said of Aquinum? Terncina ’ 
Formite, &c. ? Antium, &c ? Arpinum ? 





















120 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

« 

are the seven hills on which Rome was chiefly built. Point out the Tar 
peian rock. The walls of Servius Tullius. Of Aurelius and Hononus. 
Where is the Coliseum? The Pantheon? The Forum? The Circus 
Maximus ? Of Nero ? Of Adrian ? The baths of Diocletian ? Of Titus ? 
Of Antoninus Caracalla ? The mausoleum of Augustus? Of Adrian? 
The column of Trajan ? Of Antonine ? Where is the Campus Martius 
(Field of Mars) ? Here the military reviews, the election of the magistrates, 
and the registration or census of the people were held. Is Rome in north 
or south latitude? Which of our large cities is very nearly on the same 
parallel ? See Map Vicinity of Rome. Where is Ostium ? Laurentinum 
and the other towns mentioned in the text? See Latium. Point out Aqui- 
nuin. Terracina. Formioe. Antium. Arpinum. 


-47 


MAG'NA GR^E'CIA. 

1. The southern part of Italy was settled at an early period by 
colonies from Greece, who brought with them the arts and institu¬ 
tions of that country; hence it was called Mag'na Grre'cia (Great 
Greece). Its divisions were Apu'lia, Calabria,Lucania,and Brut' 
tia. It was long the seat of learning, industry and wealth, but it 
is now, for the most part, sunk in ignorance ; the interior districts 
are almost unknown, and the inhabitants are amongst the most 
barbarous in Europe. 


apu'lia. 

2. Apu'lia lay on the Adriatic Sea, and south of the river 
Frento; it is supposed to have been named after Ap'ulus, an an¬ 
cient monarch of the country. It comprised two divisions, viz., 
Dau'nia, in the north, t and Peuce'tia, in the south: the whole 
region was famous for its wool. 

3. Among the towns of Apu'lia was Can'nse, noted for the victory gained 
by Hannibal over the Romans; the latter lost 50,000 men. After the battle, 
the gold rings of the fallen Roman knights were collected, and several 
bushels of them sent to Carthage. Canu'sium was famous for its manu¬ 
factures of cloth ; hither the remnant of the Roman army fled, after the 
defeat at Can'naj. Venu'sia was the native town of Horace. Near tl is 
place Marcellus was killed in a skirmish against Hannibal. Luce'ria woJ 
noted for its fine wool. At As'culum, surnamed Ap'ulum, a severe battle 
was fought between Pyr'rhus and the Romans. North of Apu'lia lay the 
Diomede'ae islands; to one of these, called Trem'iti, Augustus banished his 
granddaughter Julia, who died there. 


Q. 1. What is said of the southern part of Italy, &c. ? What was it 
called ? Its divisions ? What was it once ? What is it now ? 2. De 
scribe the position of Apulia, &c. What did it comprise? What was it 
famous for ? 3. What is said of Cannte ? What occurred after the battle ? 

For what was Canusium famous ? What is said of Ven isia ? Luceria ? 




ITAL V. 


121 


CALABRIA. 

4. Cala'bria, called also Japyg'ia and Messa'pia, occupied the 
easternmost portion of Italy; it was fertile, abounded in cattle, 
fruits of various kinds, and excellent honey. The early inhabit¬ 
ants were the Cal'abri, the Messa'pi, and the Jap'yges. 

5. Taren'tum was once the most important city in Mag'na Grae'cia; the 
people were wealthy and luxurious. Their wars witli the Romans brought 
Pyr'rhus from Greece into Italy as their ally. This place was, for a time, 
the residence of Pythag'oras, who inspired the inhabitants with a love of 
virtue, and thus made them superior to their neighbours. Hydrun'tum was 
the nearest town to Greece. Here Pyr'rhus, and afterwards Varro, medi¬ 
tated the building of a bridge across the Adriatic, here 47 miles in Dreadth, 

6. Brundu'sium was a naval station ; from hence the Romans generally 
embarked for Greece. Dyrrach'ium, on the opposite coast, and 100 miles 
distant, was the chief point of intercourse. Virgil died at Brundu'sium, 
when on his journey from Athens to Rome. At Mandu'riae, Archid'amus, 
king of Sparta, was killed in a battle between the Tar'entines and Luca'- 
nians. Ru'diaj was the birth-place of En'nius, the friend of Scip'io Africa' 
nus, and the father of Latin poetry. 

% 

luca'nia. 

7. Luca'nia lay south of Apulia; it derived its name from the 
Luca'ni, a Samnite tribe, who overcame the Greek colonists pre¬ 
viously settled in that part of Italy, and gave their name to the 
country. After the Roman conquest, it is said to have been less 
flourishing than previous to that event. 

8. Metapon'tum was one of the principal cities. Pythag'oras is supposed 
to have died here. At Pando'sia, Pyr'rhus gained his first victory over the 
Romans. Syb'aris was noted for the wealth, luxury, and voluptuousness of 
the inhabitants. It was demolished and rebuilt five different times, but it 
was at length destroyed by the people of Croto'na. The term Syb'aritc^is 
still used to denote an effeminate voluptuary. Syb'aris lay between the 
rivers Cra'this and Syb'aris; the waters of the former were said to give a 
yellow colour to the hair and beard of those who drank them. 

9. Pffis'tum or Posido'nia was famed for its beautiful roses, which bloomei 
twice a year. Not far distant was E'lea, the city of Parmen'ides and Ze'no. 
The school of philosophy which they founded was called the Eleat'ic. At 
N umis'tro, Marcel'lus defeated Hannibal. At Heracle'a the congress of the 


Asculum, &c.? 4. Describe the position of Calabria, &c. Name the 

early inhabitants. 5. What is said of Tarentum, &c. ? Who resided there ? 
What is said of Hydruntum, &c. ? 6. What was Brundusium ? Dyrra- 

chium? Who died at Brundusium? Who was killed at Manduriee? 
Who was born at Rudke? 7. Describe the position of Lucania, &c. Its 
condition after the Roman conquest. 8. What is said of Metapontum, &c.? 
Pandosia? Sybaris? How often was it demolished and rebuilt? By 
whom was it finally destroyed? What does the term Sybarite denote? 
Where did Sybaris lie ? What is said of the water of the Crathis ? 9. 

What is said of Prestum ? Elea ? Numistro ? Heraclea ? Siris ? Pyx is ? 

11 



(22 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Italo-Greek colonies assembled. Near Si'ris a battle was fought between 
Pvr'rhus and the Romans. Pyx'us was founded by a colony from Messa'na. 
At Poten'tia Tibe'rius Grac'chus was treacherously slain. 


brut'tia. 

10. Brut'tia or Brut'tium formed the southernmost division of 
Italy. The inhabitants were called the Bru'tii or Brut'tii; they were 
said to have been slaves and shepherds of the Luca'nians, who, in 
process of time, became sufficiently powerful to subdue the Greek 
colonists. 



School of Pythagoras. 


] 1. Croto'na was the most famous city in their part of Italy; it was long 
the residence of Pythag'oras, and here he established his school of philoso¬ 
phy. It was the birth-place of the physician Democe'des, and of Milo, the 
wrestler; the latter was famous for his prodigious strength. Near Cau'lon 
the Croto'nians were defeated by the Lo'crians. Tem'esa was noted, in 
early times, for its copper mines. Scyla'cium gave name to the Scyla'cian 
gulf: on the opposite coast was the gulf of Tcrina : the space between the 
two gulfs was the narrowest part of Italv; Han'nibal entrenched himself 
here against the Romans. Consen'tia was the capital of the Brut'tii. Scyl'la 
stood at the entrance of the strait between Sicily and Italy; near it was the 
rock Scyl'la, so dreaded by ancient mariners. Rhe'gium, an important 
city, was founded 700 years B. C., by the Greeks: it was often seriously 
injured by earthquakes, to* which its neighbourhood was subject. 


Map No. 4. — What districts lay north and west of Apulia? What sea 
east of Apulia and Calabria ? What sea west of Lucania and Bruttia ? 
What gulf between Lucania and Calabria ? What sea east of Bruttia ? 
What mountains in Apulia eastward of the Apennines ? On what river was 


Potentia? 10. What is said of Bruttia? What were the inhabitants 
called? What is said of them ? 11. What is said of Crotona? Who 

lived there, &c. ? Who was born there ? What was toe latter ? What is 
said of Caulon ? Temesa ? Scylacium, &c. ? Causen. a ? Scylla ? Rhc 

{ium? 


































ITALY. 


m 


Cannae ? Between what rivers was Sybaris ? What river separated Luca- 
nia and Calabria ? What promontories or capes on the coast of Apulia ? 
Calabria? Lucania ? Bruttia ? Which was the most southern cape of 
Italy ? Southeastern ? What towns lay on the gulf of Paestum ? Laiis ? 
Terina ? Tarentum ? Scylacian gulf? Where are Cannae and the other 
chief towns of Apulia ? Point out the chief towns of Calabria. Lucania. 
Bruttia. When were the Romans defeated at Cannae ? At Pandosia? 




ITALIAN ISLANDS. 

1. Sicily is the largest of the Italian islands; it is also the 
largest in the Mediterranean sea: from its triangular shape it was 
called Trina'cria: it was celebrated for its fertility, and was ac¬ 
counted one of the granaries of the Roman empire. The Phoeni¬ 
cians, and then the Greeks, settled various colonies on its shores. 
The Carthaginians afterwards became its masters; but the Romans, 
during the Punic wars, drove them out, and retained possession 
of it until the downfall of their empire. 

2. Sicily is separated from Italy by the Fre'tum Sic'ulum or Sicilian 
strait, in which were the whirlpool Charyb'dis and the rock Scyl'la, the terror 
of the ancient mariners; but they are not now reckoned dangerous. In the 
eastern part of the island is the noted volcanic mountain iEt'na, the fabled 
forge of Vulcan, and where he employed the Cyclops in forging thunder- 
bolts for Jupiter. The giant Typhoe'us was fabled to be buried under Sicily, 
his hands being kept down by the promontories Pelo'rum and Pachy'num, 
his feet by Lilybae'um, whilst Mount iEt'na pressed upon his head. 

3. Syracuse, the ancient metropolis of Sicily, was, at one time, accounted 
the largest city in the world; it was founded by the Corinthians B. C. 732; 
it consisted of five distinct sections, and hence it was called Pentap'olis (the 
five cities). Though its territory was circumscribed, its influence over the 
neighbouring States was extensive. The Roman general Marcel'lus cap¬ 
tured it, after a siege of three years, B. C. 212. Several distinguished men 
were born here, among whom was Archime'des, a most profound genius, 
and the most renowned of the ancient geometricians. During the siege he 
constructed various machines by which the Syracusans greatly annoyed the 
Romans. 

4. In the northeast was Messa'na, the birth-place of the historian Euhe'. 
merus. Leonti'ni was noted for its wine; Hyb'la, for its honey. Ge'la 
was the birth-place of the poet Apollodo'rus; near it ASs'chylus was killed 
by an eagle letting fall a tortoise on his head. Agrigen'tum was a renowned 
city, and once contained 200,000 inhabitants; it was the residence of the 
tyrant Phal'aris. Heracle'a, surnamed Mino'a, was the reputed birth-place 


Q. 1. What is said of Sicily, &c. ? Of the Phoenicians and Greeks ? Car¬ 
thaginians ? Romans? 2. What separates Sicily from Italy? What is 
said of Chary bdis and Scylla ? What noted mountain? What is said of 
Typhoeus ? 3. Describe Syracuse. By whom and when was it founded ? 

Of what did it consist, &c. ? What is said of its capture ? Of Archimedes ? 
4. What is said of Messana ? Leontini ? Hybla? Gela? Agrigentum" 



124 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


of the painter Zeu'xis. Seli'nus was a large and flourishing city; it derived 
its name from the parsley which grew there in abundance. 

5. Lilybse'um was a noted stronghold of the Carthaginians; it was be¬ 
sieged by the Romans for ten years, during the first Punic war. At Drep'- 
anum Anchi'ses died; near it Adher'bal defeated a Roman army. Panor'- 
mus was one of the Carthaginian strongholds; here As'drubal was defeated 
by Metel'lus. In My'lae Por'tus or bay the Carthaginians were defeated by 
the Roman consul Duifius. In the centre of the island was Agyr'ium, th 
native town of Diodo'rus Sic'ulus. 

6. North of Sicily were the iEo'lian or Vulca'nian islands, the fabled 
domains of iE'olus, the god of the winds. Lip'ara, the largest, was noted 
for its fine fruits and its mineral waters. Near Drep'anum were the -dEga'- 
dcs islands ; here the Romans defeated the Carthaginians in a great naval 
engagement, which put an end to the first Punic war. North of Hyc'cara 
is Usti'ca or Oste'odes, so called from the bones of 6000 mercenaries, aban¬ 
doned there by the Carthaginians to starvation because they were clamorous 
for pay. 

7. Southward of Sicily was Mel'ita, famous for its wool, and its cotton and 
linen fabrics ; here St. Paul was cast away, though some are of opinion that 
Mel'ita on the Illyr'ian coast was the scene of the Apostle’s shipwreck. 
Near Mel ita lay the island of Gau'los. 

8. Corsica and Sardinia were, ilex'; to Sicily, the largest Ita¬ 
lian islands; they were both settled, at an early period, by Greek 
colonies ; the Carthaginians afterwards acquired possession of them, 
and subsequently, the Romans; the latter used Corsica as a place 
of exile, and Sen'eca was, for a time, banished thither. 

9. Corsica was called Cyr'nos, by the Greeks, and also Cor'si, whence its 
name; it was noted for its extensive woods, and its bitter honey; the bees 
derived the latter from the yew trees, with which the island abounded. The 
longevity of the inhabitants was ascribed to their using this honey as part 
of their food. In the time of Pliny, Corsica was prosperous and well peo¬ 
pled. Maria'na and Ale'ria were the chief towns; some of the others were 
Pal'l®, Centuri'num and Urcin'ium; the latter is now Ajaccio, the birth¬ 
place of the Emperor Napoleon. 

10. Sardinia was a rich and fertile island; it yielded large quantities of 
grain, wool, and salt. The climate, except among the mountains, was con¬ 
sidered so unhealthy that the Romans seldom kept a standing force there for 
any length of time. A species of wild parsley grew in abundance, which, 
if eaten, contracted the nerves of the face, producing painful and involuntary 
fits of laughter, and often causing death; hence the expression Sardonicus 


Heraclea ? Selinus ? 5. What is said of Lilybseum ? What occurred at 

Drepanum ? What is said of Panormus ? What took place in Myl© Por- 
tus? W r ho was born at Agyrium ? 6. What islands north of Sicily? 

What is said ofLipara? The iEgades ? Ustica? 7. What lay south of 
Sicily ? For what was it famous ? What occurred there ? What is the 
opinion of some ? 8. Describe Corsica and Sardinia. Their settlement, 

&c. Who was banished to Corsica? 9. What was it called? For what 
was it noted ? What is said of the inhabitants? Of the island in the time 
of Pliny ? Mariana, &c ? 10. Describe Sardinia. The climate. What 

grew there ? What was its effect if eaten ? What did the Greeks call 
Sardinia ? What is said of the inhabitants ? Name the chief townt* 



SPAIN. 


125 


risus, cr Sardonic grin, for a horrible or hideous laugh. The Greeks called 
this island Ichnu'sa or Sandalio'tis, from the resemblance of its outline to 
the shape of a foot or sandal. The inhabitants were the Sar'dii or Sardo'nii, 
and gave name to the island. Car'alis, Ol'bia, and Tur'ris Libis'sonis were 
the chief towns. 


Map No. 4. — Point out the western cape of Sicily. The northeastern. 
Southeastern. What small islands lay north? South 9 West? What 
two large islands northwest? What mountains in the western part of 
Sicily? In the eastern ? What noted volcano ? How high is it ? Where 
is Syracuse ? Messapa and the other towns mentioned in the text? When 
was Asdrubal defeated at Panormus ? The Carthaginians at the iEgades 
islands? When was Syracuse taken? What strait separates Sicily from 
the continent ? Wiiere is Charybdis ? Scylla? What parallel of latitude 
passes through the northern part of Sicily ? To which of our States does 
the northern part of the island correspond ? The southern ? How long and 
wide is Sicily ? What strait separated Corsica and Sardinia ? What paral¬ 
lel of latitude passes through Corsica? Sardinia? To what part of our 
Union does Corsica correspond ? The northern part of Sardinia ? The 
southern ? What mountains in Sardinia ? Corsica ? How high are they 7 
What is the length and width of Sardinia ? Of Corsica ? 

-49- 

HI SP A'NIA. 

1. Hispa'nia or Spain included the whole of the large peninsula 
occupied by modem Spain and Portugal. It was called Ibe'ria 
from the river Ibe'rus, and Hespe'ria Ultima (the far west) to dis¬ 
tinguish xt from Italy, which had once been called Hespe'ria. The 
name is supposed to be derived from the Phoenician word for 
rabbit, because great numbers of those animals were, at first, found 
here. 

2. The first known inhabitants were Celts and Ibe'rians,, toge¬ 
ther with the Celtibe'rians, a mixed race, descended from both 
nations. The whole were divided into numerous tribes, all of 
whom were noted for their indomitable courage. At a remote 
period the Phoenicians, and afterwards the Carthagin ians, estab¬ 
lished colonies in Spain; and the latter, in process of time, ac¬ 
quired possession of nearly the whole region. The Greeks also 
planted several colonies. 

3. During the second Punic war, the Romans drove out the Carthaginians, 
and divided the country into the two great provinces, Hispa'nia Cite'rior and 
Hispa'nia Ulte'rior (Hither and Further Spain). Hence this country was 
sometimes called the Two Spains. 

Q. 1. What did Hispania include? What was it called, &;. ? From 
what was the name derived ? 2. Who were the first known inhabitants ? 

What were they noted for? What nation established colonies in Spain? 
What did the latter acquire ? The Greeks ? 3. What occurred during the 

11 * 






120 


classical geography 


4. In the time of Augustus, Hispa'nia Cite'rior received the name of Tar- 
raconen'sis; the other province was divided into the provinces of B*'tica 
and Lusita'nia. The first took its name from Tar'raco, the capital; the 
second, from the river Bae'tis; and the third, from the Lusita'nii, one of its 
principal tribes. Hispa'nia was famous for its silver, which was so abun¬ 
dant that the most common utensils were made of it. During the times of 
the Romans, 40,000 men were employed in the mines. 

5. Spain was tne first country beyond Italy that submitted to the Romans, 
but its final conquest baffled the efforts of the ablest commanders for almost 
half a century. Under the sway of Rome it became populous, and the peo¬ 
ple cultivated learning and the arts with success. The Sen'ecas (father and 
son), Mar'tial, Quintil'ian, Lu'can, Mela, and other learned men, were 
Roman Spaniards. 

6. Tar'raco was the capital of Roman Spain; it was greatly improved by 
the Scipios. Iler'da was noted for its brave defence against Caesar by Afra- 
nius and Petro'nius, the lieutenants’of Pompey. At Bil'bilis the poet Mar' 
tial was born. Os'ca was noted for its public schools, established by Serto'- 
rius : here the latter was assassinated by Perpen'na and others, B. C. 73. 
Numan'tia, though without walls, and with a very inferior force, bravely 
withstood the Romans for fourteen years. 

7. Calagur'ris was besieged by Pompey during the Serto'rian war, when 
the inhabitants were forced to feed on their women and children; whence 
the RomanS^were wont to call any grievous famine Fames Calagurrita'na. 
Quintil'ian was born here. Sagun'tum, a Greek colony, was noted for its 
clay, of which beautiful cups were made. The inhabitants were strongly 
attached to Rome, and withstood a siege of eight months against Han'nibal, 
till, urged by famine, they destroyed themselves in a general conflagration, 
B C. 219. This siege was the cause of the second Punic war. 



Roman Aqueduct at Segovia. 


8. At Sego'bia a fine aqueduct was built by the Romans; it still remains 


second Punic war ? How was the country divided ? 4. What was Hispa- 

nia Citerior called ? How was the other province divided ? From wha» 
did the first take its name ? The second ? Third ? For what was Hispa- 
nia famous ? How many men were employed in the mines ? 5. What is 

said of the submission of Spain ? What did it become, &c. ? Who were 
Roman Spaniards? 6. What is said of Tarraco? Uerda ? Bilbilis? 
Osca ? Numantia ? 7. What is said ofCalagurris ? Who was born there ? 

For what was Saguntum noted ? What is said of the inhabitants ? What 
did this siege cause ? 8. What i B said of Segobia ? Carthago Nova ? 








SPAIN. 


127 


and is one of the best preserved ancient structures extant. It consists of 
159 arches, is half a mile long, and 94 feet high. Cartha'go Nova was 
founded by As'drubal; from hence Hannibal set out with his army, B. C. 
218, on his celebrated Italian expedition. Man'tua is now Madrid, the 
capital of Spain. From Cal'le, or Portus Cal'le, the name of Portugal is said 
to be derived. 

9. Cor'duba was the capital of Baetica; the two Sen'ecas, and alsoLu'can, 
were natives of this place ; it was famed for its excellent oil. At Cas'tulo, 
Imil'co, the wife of Han'nibal, was born, ltal'icus was the native town of 
the emperors Tra'jan and A'drian, and the poet Sil'ius ltal'icus. His'palia 
was a Roman colony. Ga'des, on an island of the same name, was founded 
by the Tyr'ians, 1500 years B. C., and became a great commercial emporium : 
it fell into the hands, first, of the Carthaginians, and then of the Romans. 
Cal'pe, a rock, now Gibraltar, was one of the columns or pillars of Her'cu. 
les; Ab'yla, the other, stood on the opposite coast of Africa. At Mun'da 
Caesar obtained a victory over Labie'nus and the two sons of Pompey. It 
was the last battle in which Caesar commanded. 

10. In Lusita'nia was Olisip'po, now Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. 
Emer'ita Augusta, the capital of Lusita'nia, was founded by Augustus, and 
settled by discharged veterans : it was famous for its scarlet dye, and its 
excellent olives. At Nor'ba Caesare'a was a fine bridge over the Ta'gus, 
dedicated to Tra'jan. Some of the other towns “in this province were Sala- 
man'tica, La'ma, Conim'briga, Scal'abis, Cetob'rigo, Mirob'riga, Pax Ju'- 
lia, and Osson'aba, &c. 

11. The Balea'res Insuke, or Balear'ic Isles, were included in the pro¬ 
vince of Tarraconen'sis. The inhabitants were noted for their skill as 
slingers. To render their youth also expert, their food, it is said, was with 
held from them in the morning, until they had hit a certain mark with a 
stone. Ma'jor and Mi'nor are now Major'ca and Minor'ca; Ma'go, the 
chief town of the latter, was named after Ma'go, the brother of Hannibal. 
The Pityu'soe islands were so called from their pine trees; Eb'usus was 
famous for figs; Ophiu'sa was infested with serpents. 


Map No. 5.—What ocean lies west of Spain ? What sea north ? East ? 
What separates Spain from Mauritania? What mountains from Gauli 
Point out the five largest rivers. Their lengths. In what direction do they 
flow? What mountains on the north coast? On the south ? In the inte¬ 
rior ? State the heights of those that have figures attached to them. Which 
was the most northern promontory? Northwestern? Western? Southern? ^ 
Eastern ? Southeastern ? Which was the largest province ? T. The 
smallest ? B. Point out the provincial capitals. The towns mentioned in 
the text. What islands lie east of Spain ? What town corresponded to the 
present capital of Spain ? Of Portugal ? Which of our large cities is on 
nearly the same parallel as Mantua ? What part of our coast corresponds 
m latitude to southern Spain ? What part to the straits of Gades or Hercu¬ 
les ? When did the siege of Saguntum occur ? Of Numantia ? The battle 
of Munda ? 


Calle ? 9. What is said of Corduba, &c. ? Castulo ? Italicus ? Gades, 

&c.? Calpe? Abyla? What took place at Munda? 10. What is said 
of Olisippo? Emerita Augusta? Norba Caesarea? Name the other 
towns? 11. What is said of the Balcares Insulae? Of the inhabitants? 
Their youth? Major and Minor ? Mago? The Pityusoe islands ? Ebu- 
vus ? Ophiusa ? 




128 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


-50- 


GAUL OR GAL 'Ll A. 

1. Gai'l or Gal'lia extended from the Rhine to the Pyrenees, 
and from the Bay of Biscay to the Alps. It included the whole 
of what is now France and Belgium, with parts of Holland, Prus¬ 
sia, Bavaria,and Switzerland, and was of greater extent than mo¬ 
dern Gaul or France has ever been, except when under the 
dominion of Napoleon. 

2. By the Greeks this country was termed Celto-Gala'tia, to 
distinguish ’*. from Gamtia in Asia Minor. The Romans called 
it Transalpine-Gaul (Gaul beyond the Alps), in contradistinction 
to Cisalpine-Gaul (Gaul within the Alps), which occupied the 
northern part of Italy. 

3. The earliest inhabitants were Celts ; they were divided into three great 
tribes ; the Bel'gae, in the north; the Cel'ta3, in the centre; and the Aquita'- 
ni, in the south. These were again subdivided into many smaller tribes or 
clans. They called themselves Gael; whence the name Gaul or Gal'lia was 
derived. The Belgae were intermingled, to some extent, with the Germans 
of the opposite side of the Rhine: they were noted for their prowess, and 
were the most valiant of all the Gallic nations. 

4. The Gauls were a warlike and enterprising people ; they once possessed 
the whole of northern Italy, sacked Rome itself, and penetrated into Greece 
and Asia Minor. Though subdued by Csesar, the greatest of Roman con¬ 
querors, they made a long and obstinate resistance to his arms, and were not 
entirely subjected until after a war of ten years’ duration, and the loss of 
half a million of lives. 

5. When first known to the Romans, the Gauls, though still, in many 
respects, barbarous, had made some steps towards civilization, and knew 
something of the arts. They were, in form and complexion, like the other 
Cel'tic nations, and wore their hair of great length ; hence the country was 
often called Gal'lia Coma'ta (Long-haired Gaul). At first, the Gauls dis¬ 
dained the use of defensive armour, as being incompatible with true courage., 
and even sometimes engaged in battle divested of clothing. 

6. Under the Romans, Gaul comprised four great districts or provinces, 
called the Four Gauls; namely, Gariia-Bcl'gica, Gai'lia-Lugdunen'sis or 
Cel'tica, Gal'lia-Aquita'nia, and Gal'lia-Narbonen'sis. These were divided 
into seventeen smaller provinces. 


Q. 1. How far did Gaul extend? What did it include, &c.? 2. What 

was it called by the Greeks, and why ? What did the Romans call it, and 
why ? 3. Who were the earliest inhabitants ? How were they divided, &c. ? 

What did they call themselves ? What is said of the Belgae ? 4. Describe 

the Gauls. What did they possess ? Who subdued them ? How long did 
they resist ? How many lives were lost ? 5. What was the condition of the 

Gauls when first known to the Romans ? What is said of their form, com¬ 
plexion, &c. ? What was the country often called ? What did the Gauls 
disdain ? 6. What did Gaul comprise, under the Romans ? How were the 




GAUL 


129 


O 


7. The eastern part of Bel'gica was called Germa nia Cisrhena'na (Gcr. 
many within the Rhine), to distinguish it from Germa'nia Transrhena'na or 
Magna (Germany beyond the Rhine or Great Germany); Gal'lia Narbonen'- 
sis was also called Gal'lia Bracca'ta (Breeched Gaul), because the inhabitant* 
wore a kind of leggings or breeches made of a striped or checkered stuff, like 
the tartan of the Scots Highlanders. 

8. The chief towns in Bel'gica were Lugdu'num, surnamed Batavo'rurn, 
to distinguish it from another city of the same name, Augusta-Trevcro'rur.i, 
Mogunti'acum, Noviom'agus, Veson'tio, and Colo'nia-Agrippi'na. It iii»* 
Por'tus was the place at which Ccesar first embarked for Britain. Gesori'a- 
cum or Bono'nia was one of the nearest ports to the same country, whence 
ships were constantly sailing. 

9. Lugdu'num, now Lyons, was the principal city in the province of the 
same name: it was long an important place. Augustodu'num was cele¬ 
brated for its schools, in which the Gal'lic nobles were educated. Ale'sia 
was noted fa its siege by Caesar. Lute'tia, afterwards Paris'ii, a small 
village on an island in the Seq'uana river, is now Paris, the renowned capi¬ 
tal of France. Near Durocatalau'num a sanguinary battle was fought 
between the allied Goths and Romans, and the Huns, under At'tila. 

10. Burdig'ala, the capital of Aquita'nia, was the birth-place of the poet 
Auso'nius. Uxellodu'num was the last city in Gaul that held out against 
the Romans. Avar'icum, Argentom'agus, Lapur'dum, Clim'berris, Limo'. 
num, Mediola'num,and Gergo'via, were all towns of note; the latter long 
resisted the attacks of Caesar. 



Pont du Gard. 


11. Nar'bo was the capital of Narbonen'sis, and also of the whole of Ro¬ 
man Gaul. Northeast was Nemau'sis, now Nismes, a noted city; in the vici¬ 
nity is a Roman aqueduct, called the Pont du Gard ; it passes over the small 
river Gar'don, and consists of three tiers of arches, in good preservation ; the 
upper tier is near 900 feet long; the whole is 157 feet high. Massil'ia and 
Nicaj'a were Greek colonies; the former, now Marseilles, was a celebrated 
commercial emporium. A'quae Sex'tiae was noted for its mineral waters, and 
also for a great victory gained by the Roman general Ma'rius over the Cim 
bri and the Teu'tones. 


districts divided ? 7. What was the eastern part of Belgica called, 

Gallia Narbonensis ? 8. Name the chief towns in Belgica. Where did 

Caesar embark for Britain? What is said of Gesoriacum? 9. What was 
Lugdunum ? Augustodunum ? Alesia ? Lutetia ? What ocurred near 
Durocatalaunum ? 10. What was Burdigala ? Uxellodunum ? Avaricum 

&c. ? 11. What was Narbo ? What is near Nemausis ? Describe the 

Pont du Gard. What were Massilia and Nicsea? For what was Aqua* 

I 








130 


i 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

12. Vienna, Arel'ate, Arau'sio,and Fo'rum Ju'lii were Roman colonies; to 
the first named, king Archela'us, surnarncd Herod, was banished by Augustus 
for his cruelties ; and, at the last, the emperor Agric'ola was born. Tolo sa, 
now Toulouse, was surnamed Palla'dia because learning was there gieatly 
cultivated. From Gene'va the Murus Coesaris (Ciesar’s wall) commenced. 
It was built to restrain the incursions of the Helve'tii. It extended west¬ 
ward about twenty miles. At Mons Seleu'cus the tyrant Magnen'tius was 
efeated by Constantius. 


Map No. 5.— What sea lay west of Gaul ? South ? What strait sepa¬ 
rated Gaul from Britannia ? What river from Germania ? What moun¬ 
tains formed the southern boundary ? What mountains lay near the river 
Rhenus ? Near the Rhodanus ? What province lay in the north ? West? 
What two in the south? Which were the five chief rivers? State the 
length of each? Which of these flowed south? In what direction did the 
others flow ? Point out the islands Riduna, Sarnia, and Caesarea. These 
are now called the Norman islands. Though very near the coast of France, 
they belong to Great Britain. What islands lay on the west coast? Point 
out the towns mentioned in the text in Belgica. In Lugdunensis. Aquitania. 
Narbonensis. When were the Cimbri and Teutones defeated at Aqua; Sex 
tae ? When was Attila defeated at Durocatalaunum ? 



BRITISH ISLANDS. 

1. The British islands comprised Britan'nia and Hiber'nia (now 
Great Britain and Ireland), with the smaller islands attached to 
them. Britan'nia was called, at first, Al'bion, signifying the white 
island, and afterwards, Britain. It was the largest island known to 
the ancients, and was noted for its tin. It was considered, by the 
Romans, as a distinct world by itself. 

2. Britan'nia was inhabited by Cel'tic tribes, who resembled the 
Gauls in their manners, laws and religion. They subsisted mostly 
by hunting and raising cattle, and clothed themselves in skins. To 
add to the ferocity of their appearance, they painted their bodies 
of a bluish colour. Their habitations were huts made of wicker 
work, and covered with rushes. 

3. The Britons were remarkable for their stature, exceeding, it was said, 
the tallest persons at Rome by half a head. They had blue eyes, and their 
hair, like that of the Gauls, was generally of a yellow or reddish hue. Their 
priests were Druids, whose persons were held sacred. The bards and pro- 


Se>ctie noted, &c. ? 12. What were Vienna, Arelate, Arausio, &c. Who 

was banished to Vienna ? Who was born at Forum Julii? What is said 
of Tolosa ? The Murus Caesaris ? What occurred on Mons Seleucus ? 

Q. 1. Describe the British islands. What was Britannia first called ? 
Afterwards? What was it noted for, &c. ? 2. By whom was Britannia 

inhabited, &c. ? How did the Britons subsist, &c. ? What is said of their 
habitations? 3. Describe the Britons. What is said of the Druids, &c.? 


• i 




BRITISH ISLANDS. 


131 


phots were also highly respected; the former composed heioic songs in 
praise of the chief warriors ; and the latter foretold future events. Besides 
the ordinary implements of war, the Britons had armed chariots, which 
they managed with great dexterity. 



t Cesar invading Britain. 


4. Britain was not known to the Romans, except by report, until the time 
of Cae'sar. That conqueror landed an army on its shores in the year 55 B. 
C., and defeated the inhabitants in several battles. He soon, however, left 
the island ; but succeeding generals subdued the whole region, as far north 
as the Friths of Forth and Clyde. The Romans maintained their pre-emi¬ 
nence until the fifth century, when the decline of their power obliged them 
to withdraw their forces from the island, to defend the more vital portions 
of their empire. 

5. In Cae'sar’s time the Britons were united in a political union, of which 
Cassivelau'nus was the head. Subsequently, Carac'tacus and Queen Boadice'a 
endeavoured to throw off the yoke of their conquerors; but though they 
fought with a courage worthy of success, they could not resist the disci¬ 
plined legions of Rome. 

6. The Romans called that part of the island under their government, 
Brilan'nia Romano'rum (Roman Britain), and the more northern part Britan'- 
nia Bar'bara (Barbaric Britain). To resist the invasions of the northern 
tribes they constructed, at different periods, three fortified walls, or lines of 
forts, across the island. The most northern was built by Antoni'nus, A. D. 
140, and was forty-two miles long. The others were only a few yards 
apart, and were seventy-six miles long. A'drian’s was built A. D. 120, and 
that by Seve'rus, the most southern, A. D. 210. 

7. Of the thirty tribes of barbarians among whom Roman Britain was 
divided, the most considerable were the Brigan'tes, Dam'nii,and Gude'ni, in 
the north; the Corita'ni, Ice'ni, Corna'vii, Catieuchla'ni,and Trinoban'tes, in 


What did the Britons use with dexterity? 4. When did Britain become 
known to the Romans? What is said of Caesar? Of succeeding gene 
rals ? The Romans ? 5. What is said of the Britons in Caesar’s time ? 

Who endeavoured to throw off the yoke ? 'What was the result ? G. What 
uid the Romans call that part of Britain under their government ? The more 
northern part? Wiiat was done to recast invasion? What is said of the 
most northern wall? The others? 7. Which were ihe most comiderivble 







i32 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY 


the centre; the Can'tii, Atreba'tii, Bel'gse,and Dumno'nii, in the south; and 
the Ordov'ices and Silu'res in Cam'bria. 

8. All these tribes acquired, under the sway of Rome, a considerable de¬ 
gree of civilization; but they had become so unwarlike, that when the Ro¬ 
mans left the island, A. D. 448, they were unable to defend themselves against 
the assaults of the Scots and Piets. To maintain their position, the Britons 
invited to their aid the An'gli or Angles and Saxons, two renowned German 
nations, who repelled the invaders, but seized on the country for themselves 
and drove the Britons into the mountainous districts of Cam'bria or Wales 
They then established the seven distinct kingdoms called the Heptarchy, al 
of which were united A. D. 827, under Egbert, king of England. 

9. Roman Britain was first divided into two, but afterwards into five pro¬ 
vinces : 1. Valen'tia; 2. Max'ima Csesarien'sis; 3. P'la'via Coesarien'sis; 
4 . Britan'niaPri'ma ; and 5. Britan'nia Secun'da. The first comprised Scot¬ 
land as far north as the Friths of Forth and Clyde; the second, third and 
fourth, the northern, central and southern districts of England ; and the fifth 
comprised Cam'bria. 

10. When the Britons were invaded by the Romans, their few towns con¬ 
sisted of irregular collections of small wicker cottages, enclosed by ram¬ 
parts of logs, and surrounded by a ditch. Londin'ium, now London, was the 
largest town: in the days of Tac'itus, A. D. 60, it was noted for its com¬ 
merce. In the third century it was considered the metropolis of Britain. 

11. Ebor'acum was an important military post; it was, for a time, the 
capital of Roman Britain, and also the residence of the emperors A'drian, 
Seve'rus and Constanti'nus Chlo'rus: the two latter died here. Rutu'pise 
was the chief landing-place from Gaul; it was famous for its oysters, which 
were sent even to Rome. At Por'tus Lema'nis Cse'sar landed, when he in¬ 
vaded Britain. Du'bris, situated near the narrowest part of the Gal'lic strait, 
is now Dover. 

12. Camulodu'num was the first colony which the Romans established in 
Britain ; it had a theatre and a temple dedicated to the emperor Clau'dius. 
Queen Boadice'a was defeated there by Sueto'nius Pauli'nus, A. D. 61. 
De'va, now Chester, was a military station; the Roman walls and fortifica¬ 
tions still exist. A'quae So'lis, now Bath, was noted for its mineral waters. 

13. The Cassiter'ides or Tin Islands were noted for their trade in tin, 
which was brought, most probably, from the adjacent shores of Britain. 
The Romans banished many criminals hither. The boats of the islanders, 
m which they braved the roughest seas, were of wicker-work, and covered 
with skins or leather. Mo'na Tac'ita, now Anglesey, was the chief seat of 
the Druids. Mo'na Caes'aris or Monce'da was nearly equidistant from 
Britain and Hiber'nia. Vec'tis In'sulse, now the Isle of Wight, was resorted 
to for tin, in which the natives traded. 

tribes in the north? Centre? South? In Cambria? 8. What did tlw 
tribes acquire? What did they become? What did the Britons do? 
What is said of the Saxons ? Of the Heptarchy, &c. ? 9. How was Roman 

Britain divided ? What did the first comprise ? Second? Third? Fourth? 
Fifth? 10. What is said of the towns? Which was the largest? When 
was it considered the metropolis ? 11. What is said of Eboracum ? Who 

died there? What is said of Rutupiaj ? Portus Lemanis ? 12. Name the 

first colony established by the Romans. W4io was defeated there ? What 
was Deva ? Aquae Solis? What has been discovered ? 13. For what were 

the Cassiterides noted, &c. ? Describe the boats of the islanders. What is 
said of Mona Tacita ? Mona Ccesaris ? Vcctis ? 



CALEDONIA. 


183 

Map No. 5. — What lay north of Britannia ? East ? Soutli ? West ? 
What sea west of Cambria ? What strait southeast ? What is its modern 
lame? How wide is it? What lay between Britannia Prima and Secun- 
da ? Which are the three chief rivers ? What is the length of each ? 
What islands lay west? Southwest? What island south? Which was 
the largest province ? The smallest ? Point out the tribes. The towns 
mentioned in the text. Alata-Castra. Luguvallum. Longovieum. Man- 
cunium. Lindum Colonia. Camboricum. Durobrivoe and Dubris. What 
are the modern names of these towns? What district was bounded *n the 
north by the wall of Antoninus ? What by the walls of Adridn and Severus ? 

-52- 

CALEDO'NIA AND HIBERNIA. 

1. Caledo'nia lay north of the rivers Forth and Clyde, and 
comprised about three-fourths of the country now occupied by the 
kingdom of Scotland. The name is believed to be derived from the 
native term Gael Dun (Gael of the mountains, or Highlanders). The 
inhabitants were a fierce, warlike race, and resisted with success 
all the efforts of the Romans to mbdue them. 

2. On the west coast were the Ebu'des or Hebu'dae islands, now 
the Heb'rides: beyond the northern extremity of Caledo'nia were 
the Or'cades, now the Orkneys: still farther north were the Shet- 
lands, the snow-covered Thu'le, seen by Agric'ola on his voyage 
around Britan'nia; and, being considered by him the most northern 
region of the world, received the appellation Ul'tima. 

3. Agric'ola, about A. D. 76, and afterwards Seve'rus, penetrated with 
tlieir legions to the foot of the Grampian hills; and the former fought a 
great battle there, with the Caledo'nians, under the command of Gal'gacus, 
a noted chief, in which he was not without difficulty defeated. 

4. About the same time, the fleet of Agric'ola explored the shores and 
islands of this part of Britain, and, for the first time, determined it to be an 
insular region. The remains of various roads and stations, constructed by 
the Romans, still serve to trace their progress northwards, in their attempts 
to subdue the Caledo'nians. 

5. The interior of the country was covered w 7 ith dense forests, of which 
the most noted was the Caledo'nia Sil'va ; it stretched across the island from 
southwest to northeast, and was a great resort for wild beasts. Bears were 
frequently caught in it, and sent thence to Rome, to be exhibited and de¬ 
stroyed in the bloody spectacles of that city. 

6. About the middle of the fifth century the Caledo'nians first received the 
names of Piets and Scots; the latter, called also Dal'riads, emigrated from 

Q. 1. Describe the position of Caledonia. What did it comprise ? What is 
sa( i of the name ? The inhabitants ? 2. What is said of the Ebudes islands, 
&c. ? The Orcades ? What lay farther north ? 3. What is said of Agri¬ 

cola and Severus? What did Agricola do? 4. What was performed by 
his fleet ? What is said of the remains of roads* &c. ? 5. Describe the 

interior of the country. The Caledonia Silva. What animals were caught 
Ji i re &c. ? 6. What occurred about the middle of the fifth century ? 

12 





134 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


the north of Ireland, settled on the western coasts of Caledo'nia, and finally 
gave their name to the country. The Pic'ti or Piets (painted;, so named 
because they painted their bodies on going to battle, inhabited the eastern 
districts. Their country was called Pict'land, until Kenneth Macalpine 
becoming sovereign of both nations, A. D. 843, assumed the title of king f 
Scotland. When the Romans finally left the island, the Piets and Set ts 
ravaged the southern provinces with fire and sword, until driven within their 
own frontiers by the Angles and the Saxons. 

hiber'nia. 

7. Hiber'nia, now Ireland, was, next to Britain, the largest 
island known to the ancients. The Phoenic'ians and Greeks be¬ 
came acquainted with it at an early period: the latter called it 
ler'ne, and also Juver'na. The Romans called it Hiber'nia (winter 
land), because when first known to them, they imagined it to be 
constantly covered with ice and snow. The native name is Erin, 
which signifies the West. 

8. Though the Romans never invaded Ireland, yet they acquired so much 
information concerning it from the traders who visited its shores, that we 
find the map of that country by Ptol'emy to be less defective than the one 
which he made of Scotland. Ancient writers mention various tribes resi¬ 
dent in Hiber'nia, as well as the towns in which they dwelt. Of the former 
nothing is known but their names: among the towns, Ebla'na is supposed 
to be Dublin; Re'gia Al'tera, Limerick; Mena'pia, Wexford; Du'num, 
Downpatrick; Re'gia, Clogher, &c. 

9. The inhabitants are, by some, supposed to be descended from a colony 
of Mile'sians, who emigrated from Spain about 500 years B. C.; but others 
believe that they were of Cel'tic origin, and passed over from Britain. The 
Sco'ti or Scots, one of the chief tribes, occupied the northern part of the 
island; and from them it received, for a time, the name of Sco'tia; having 
emigrated to Caledo'nia, they eventually united with the Piets, and formed, 
with them, one nation. 

10. During the fifth century, the Christian faith and literature were intro¬ 
duced into Ireland by St. Patrick, and contributed greatly to its peace and 
prosperity; learning was now encouraged, and many monasteries were 
founded, the inmates of which became noted over almost all Europe for 
their piety and knowledge. Some of the most noted scholars at the courts 
of the Saxon kings, as well as at that of Charlemagne, were Irish. 

11. The Danes or Normans, during the height of their power, ravaged 
the shores of Ireland, and conquered all the eastern coast, making Dublin 
their capital. About the year A. D. 1000, Brian Boru or Brian the Great 

What is said of the Scots ? Of the Piets ? Their country ? Kenneth 
Macalpine ? What took place when the Romans left the island ? *7rWhat 
was-Hibernia ? What is said of the Phoenicians, &c. ? What did the 
Greeks call the island ? The Romans ? What was their idea of it ? What 
is the native name, &c. ? 8. What did the Romans acquire ? What is said 

of Ptolemy ? What is mentioned by ancient writers ? What is said of the 
tribes? The towns? 9. What opinions are entertained of the origin of 
the inhabitants ? What is said of the Scoti or Scots ? To what country 
did they emigrate, &c.? 10. What occurred during the fifth century? 

What was the result ? What is said of learning, &c. ? Of some of the 
most noted scholars? 11. What is said of the Danes? What was their 



SCANDINAVIA 


135 


expelled the nor.nern Invaders, and, uniting together -he va ious petty States, 
became king of all Ireland. In the following cen' jry, however, the island 
was divided into five discordant kingdoms. Tk ; English now gained a 
footing in the island, they conquered a consider ible portion of the country 
and their king, Henry II., assumed the title of Lord of Ireland. 


Map No. 1.—What ocean west of Caledonia? East ? What sea north? 
Point out the Ebudes. The Orcades. Thule. This name the ancients 
gave to the most northern country with which they were acquainted. It 
was applied to different regions in the north. The Thule of Agricola was 
Shetland ; the Thule of Pytheas was not so positively known ; some sup¬ 
posed it to be Norway, and some Iceland. What ocean west of Hibernia ? 
To what part of America does Hibernia correspond ? The Orcades ? 

Map No. 5.—What sea lies between Hibernia and Cambria ? Between 
Britannia and Hibernia? What island in the Hibernian sea? Point out 
the towns mentioned in the text. What is the name of the largest river in 
Hibernia? Point out the Boreum Pr. Notium Pr. What are their mo¬ 
dern names ? VVhat is the length and width of Hibernia ? 

-53- 

SC AND IN A'VIA AND GERM A'NI A. 

1. Scandina'via or Scan'dia comprised Sweden, Norway, and 
Finland. It was so imperfectly known to the ancients that they 
believed it to consist of several islands in the Coda'nus Si'nus or 
Baltic Sea. Some authors include Denmark in Scandina'via, but, 
in ancient times, it was usually considered to belong to Germany. 

2. The earliest known inhabitants were the Hillevi'ones, the 
Gu'tae, and the Sui'ones, in Sweden; the Sit'ones, in Nerigo'nia 
or Norway; the Fin'ni, in Finnin'gia or Finland ; and the Scri'to- 
Fin'ni, probably in Lapland. The latter were noted for the ra¬ 
pidity with which they traversed the frozen surface of their country 
on skates or snow-shoes. 

3. The Hillevi'ones were a numerous people. The Gu'tae were afterwards 
called Goths; they wore long hair and beards, and dressed in furs. The 
Sui'ones were skilful navigators, and had many ships; among the Sit'ones, 
the sovereign power was frequently conferred on females. Pyth'eas, an 
ancient navigator, twice visited the shores of this region, which he called 
Thu'le : he is believed, by some, to have explored the coast as far as the 
North Cape of Europe ; but others are of the opinion that he did not pro¬ 
ceed beyond the Baltic. 

capital? What occurred about A. D. 1000? Of what did Brian Boru 
become king? What occurred m the following century? What is said 
of the English ? Of Henry II. ? 

Q. 1. What did Scandinavia comprise? What did the ancients believe 
it to consist of? What is the opinion of some authors in regard to Den¬ 
mark, &-c? 2. Who were the earliest inhabitants? What is said of the 

Scrito-Finni ? 3. What is said of the Hillevjones ? The Gutae ? Suiones ? 

Sitones? Of Pytheas? 4. By what people was the Chersonesus Cimbrica 





130 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


4. The Chersone'sus Cim'brica, now Jutland and Sleswiek, in 
Denmark, was inhabited by the Cim'bri, and the adjacent islands 
by the Teu'tones: these two nations, about a century before Chiist, 
penetrated to Gaul and Italy, and made the Romans tremble for 
the safety of their capital; but they were at length defeated and 
driven back to their own territories by the consul Ma'rius. 

5. All the foregoing tribes, both of Scandina'via and Cim'brica, were very 
■imilar to the Germans, in dress, appearance, and manners, and were 
equally fierce and warlike. On the decline of the Roman power,these tribes, 
under the names of Goths, Vandals, Her'uli, Lom'bards, &c., left their frozen 
regions, and, with the other rude nations of that time, assisted in devastating 
and dismembering the empire. 

6. During the ninth and tenth centuries, under the command of their 
Vikingr or Sea kings, they ravaged, with their piratical fleets, all the coasts 
of Europe, from the Baltic to the Adriatic sea. At that period they were 
known by the name of Normans, Danes, and Easterlings. They founded 
the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, in Italy, and established the duchy of 
Normandy, in France. Many of the Danes settled in England, and three 
of their princes became kings of that country; but they were expelled 
thence by the renowned Alfred, and other British sovereigns. 

GERMA'NIA OR GERMANY. 

7. Germany extended from the German ocean and the river 
Rhine, eastward, to the Vistula; and from the Baltic, southward, 
to the Danube.* By way of distinction, it was often called Ger¬ 
ma'nia Magna (Great Germany), and also Germa'nia Transrhena- 
na (Germany beyond the Rhine). The name was derived from 
the word Ghar-man, which signifies a warrior. 

8. Ancient Germany contained some vast forests, of which the 
Hercyn'ian, the largest, extended from the Rhine to the Vistula, 
or sixty days’ journey in length. The country was occupied by 
numerous independent tribes, who were sometimes at variance 
with each other, but they generally united against foreign invasion, 
and often formed powerful confederacies. 

9. The principal tribes were the IstreVones, the Hermi'ones, the Ven'dili, 
the Cherus'ci and the Chau'ci; of these, sometimes one tribe was predomi¬ 
nant, and sometimes another. Among the smaller tribes, in later times, 
were the Saxons and the Angli, the progenitors of the Anglo-Saxon nations; 

inhabited ? The adjacent islands ? What is said of these two nations? 
5. To what people were the foregoing tribes similar ? What occurred on 
the decline of the Roman power ? 6. During the ninth and tenth centuries ? 

By what name were they known ? What did they found ? Establish ? 
What did three of the Danish princes become ? 7. How far did Germany 

extend ? What was it called by way of distinction ? From what was the 
name derived, &c. ? 8. What did ancient Germany contain, &c. ? By 

what was the country occupied ? What is said of these tribes ? 9. Which 


* Vindelicia, Rhastia, Noricum, and Pannonia were included in Germany previous to theit 
conquest by the Romaic. 





GERMANY. 137 

the Franks, of the French, &c. From the Aleman'ni the French name Al. 
lemagne, for modern Germany, is derived. 

10. The Roman writers describe the Germans as the fiercest and bravest 
of all the tribes of barbarians. A robust frame and gigantic stature, with 
bright blue eyes and deep yellow hair, were the prevailing characteristics 
of these people. Inured to cold and fatigue, they scorned every restraint— 
considered independence as the most precious blessing, and war as the most 
manly occupation. 

11. Their tents or movable huts were dispersed singly, or a few together 
wer the country ; there were no cities, and no permanent buildings, except 
at the places where the Romans had forts and stations. Women were 
treated, by the Germans, with great respect, and even something of a sacred 
character was attached to the sex. The memory of their renowned heroes 
and ancestors was highly venerated, and songs were sung, at the national 
feasts, in their praise. The government was a pure democracy; alLpublic 
affairs were determined in a general assembly of the people, in which every 
man, able to carry arms, was entitled to a vote. 

12. The Germans were almost the only people who resisted the Romans 
with success, when at the height of their power. In the year A. D. 9, the 
army of Va'rus, after a battle of three days, was entirely destroyed by Ar- 
min'ius or Her'man, a chief of the Cherus'ci. 

13. Caesar, Dru'sus, German'icus, and other noted captains, acquired 
glory and renown by their victories over the Germans; but the Romans 
were never able to make any permanent impression, and considered them- 
selves fortunate if they could preserve inviolate the boundary of the Danube 
and the Rhine. During the fifth century, these long-guarded barriers were 
passed, and the German nations overran the western empire, carrying their 
conquering arms as far as Spain and Portugal. 

Map No. 1.—What ocean lay west of Scandinavia ? What sea northwest ? 
What promontory north ? What gulf east ? This part of the ocean is, in 
ancient geography, called indifferently a gulf and a sea; another name for 
it, besides the one in the maps, was Mare Suevicum, or Sea of Suevia, 
Where is Nerigonia? What mountains in it? Point out Finningia. 
What gulf south ? Point out the tribes mentioned in the text. When did 
Py theas sail along the shores of Scandinavia ? 

Map No. 5. — What ocean west of Chersonesus Cimbrica ? What gulf 
»ast? What nations south ? What promontory north ? What nations in. 
oabited this peninsula ? The islands east ? What ocean northwest of Ger 
many? Sea north ? Country east? River west? South? What coun¬ 
tries lay around Germany ? What rivers flow into the German ocean ? 
Into the Codaman sea ? Into what sea does the Danube flow ? What is 
the length of these rivers ? What mountains in Germany ? How high are 
the Sudetic ? Near what rivers was Varus defeated ? When did that 
event occur ? 


were the principal tribes, &c. ? The smaller tribes ? 10. How did the Ro- 

man writers describe the Germans ? What were their prevailing character, 
istics, &c.? 11. What is said of their tents, cities, &c.? The women? 

Their renowned heroes ? Describe the government. 12. What is said of 
the Germans, in regard to the Romans ? What occurred A. D. 9 ? 13. What 
is said of Ccesar, &c. ? What were the Romans unable to do, &c. ? Whal 
took place in the fifth century ? 

12* 




138 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


-54- 

HELVETIA, VINDELIC'IA, RHiE'TIA, ETC. 

1. Helve'tia, a wild, mountainous region, comprised the chief 
part of what is now ^Switzerland ; it was inhabited by the Helve- 
tii, a bold and warlike people, of Cel'tic origin. The women wer 
noted for their courage; they often engaged in battle, and fough 
side by side with their husbands, fathers, and brothers. 

2. After many desperate contests with the natives, Caesar at length sub. 
jected Helve'tia to the dominion of Rome, and included it in his government 
of Gaul. Subsequently several Roman colonies were established, of whicli 
Tur'icum and Aven'ticum were the chief. 

VINDELICIA. 

3. Vindelic'ia or .RhjE'tia Secun'da, as it was sometimes 
called, lay between the Danu'bius and CE'nus rivers. It comprised 
a part of what is now Bava'ria, Wir'temberg,and Ba'den. 

4. The lake Briganti'nus, now lake Constance, was partly in this territory 
and partly in Rhae'tia and Helve'tia. On this lake Tibe'rius built a fleet, 
when at war with the Vindelic'ians. Augus'ta Vindelico'rum, the capital, 
was a Roman colony, and was a town of considerable importance. Regi'na, 
on the Danu'bius, was a strong fortress. 

rhe'tia. 

5. Rh,e'tia lay southward of Vindelic'ia, and included portions 
of the region now occupied by Switzerland, the Tyrol, and mo¬ 
dern Italy; the upper sections of the rivers Rhe'nus, CE'nus, and 
Ath'esis traverse and water the country. The chief mountains 
were the Rhae'tian Alps. 

6. When first attached to Rome, it included Vindelic'ia; but it was after¬ 
wards divided into Rhae'tia Pri'ma and Rlue'tia Secun'da. The inhabitants 
both of Vindelic'ia and Rhae'tia were originally Etrus'cans, who fled from the 
Gauls when that nation invaded Italy. They were subjected to Rome by 
Dru'sus and Tibe'rius Nero. Triden'tum, Erigan'tia, and Cu'ria were the 
thief towns. 

nor'icum. 

7. Nor'icum comprised the chief part of the present Austrian 
provinces of Upper and Lower Austria, Carinthia, and Styria. It 
was watered chiefly by the Dra'vus and Mu'rus rivers, and was 

Q. 1. What did Helvetia comprise ? By whom was it inhabited ? What 
is said of the women? 2. Who conquered Helvetia? What was then 
established? 3. What is said of Vindelicia? What did it comprise, &c.? 
4. What is said of lake Brigantinus ? Of Augusta Vindelicorum ? Re¬ 
gina ? 5. What is said of Rhcetia ? What rivers traverse the country ? 

6. What did it include when first attached to Rome ? What was if after- 
wards divided into? What is said of the inhabitants? Name the chief 




NORICUM, PANNONIA, ILL TRICUM. m 

oounded on the north by the Danube. It was conquered by the 
Romans in the time of Augustus. 

8. This country was noted for its iron and steel; weapons, made of the 
latter, were in high repute, and the term “Nor'icus ensis” was used for a 
sword-blade of remarkable temper. Boiodu'rum, the capital of the Boi'i, 
was situated at the mouth of the CE'nus; Lauriacum, on the Danube, was 
the station of a Roman flotilla. 

panno'nia. 

9. Panno'nia was bounded on the north and east by the river 
Danube; west by No'ricum, and^ south by Illyr'icum. It was 
divided into Panno'nia Superior and Inferior. The inhabitants 
called the Panno'nii were of Cel'tic origin; they were attacked by 
the Romans, during the reign of Augustus, but they were not 
subdued until the time of Tibe'rius. 

10. Panno'nia comprised that part of Hungary which lies west of the 
Danube, with portions of the provinces of Lower Austria, Styria, Croatia, 
and Sclavo'nia. Vindobo'na (now Vienna) and Carnun'tum were both impor¬ 
tant towns ; Aquin'cum was the station of a Roman legion; at Sir'mium 
the emperor Pro'bus was slain. Mur'sa was the station of the lower Danu'- 
bian fleet; near it Magnen'tius was defeated by Constan'tius. Sopia'na 
was the birth-place of the Emperor Maximi'nus, and Cib'alis of the Emperor 
Gra'tian; at the latter Licin'ius was defeated by Con'stantinc. 

illyr'icum or illyr'ia. 

11. Illyr-icum lay along the eastern shore of the Adriatic sea, 
and extended southward from Nor'icum and Panno'nia. At one 
period it bordered on Epi'rus; but the lower districts were added 
to Macedo'nia by Philip, the father of Alexander, and obtained the 
name of Illyr'icum Grae'cum; the remainder was then called Bar 
baric Illyr'icum; but, on its conquest by the Romans, the name 
was changed to Illyr'icum Romano'rum. 

12. The southeastern ranges of the Alps extend through the interior of 

the country, and the coast, for a distance of 350 miles, is studded with nume¬ 
rous islands. Dalmatia and Libur'nia were the chief divisions ; the former 
still retains its ancient name. The Libur'nians were skilful ship-builders; 
their fast-sailing galleys were used by Augustus to great advantage, in the 
memorable battle of Ac'tium. . 

13. Se'nia was a Roman colony, between which and Pola there was con- 

towns. 7. What did Noricum comprise, Ac. ? 8. For what was it noted, Ac.? 
What is said of Boiodurum ? Lauriacum ? 9. Describe the boundaries of 

Pannonia. How was it divided ? Of what origin were the Pannonii ? 
What is said of their corfquest ? 10. What did Pannonia comprise ? Name 

the important towns. What is said of Aquincum ? The other towns? 
11. What is said of Illyricum, Ac. ? Who included a part of it in Macedo¬ 
nia ? What was the latter called ? The remainder ? To what was the name 
changed T 12. What mountains extended through the interior? What is 
<*aid of the coast and its islands ? Which verc the chief divisions ? What 
were the Liburnians? 13. What is said of Senia? Who was wounded at 



/ 


140 CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

stant intercourse. At the siege of Met'ulum, Octavius Caesar was wounded. 
Seardo'na was the chief city of Libur'nia. Salo'na was the capital of Iilyr. 
tcum; it was tlie birth-place of the Emperor Diocle'tian, who, after his 
abdication, retired to Spala'trum, in the neighbourhood, and built there a 
splendid palace. Epidau'rus was a Roman colony: Sco'dra was the resi¬ 
dence of the Illyr'ian king Gen'tius. 

14. The Illyr'ians were noted robbers and pirates, and treated their pri- 
eoners with great cruelty; they were frequently at variance with the Mace 
donians, and afterwards with the Romans, by whom they were conquere 
about 200 years B. C. They were a kindred people with the Thracians: 
both nations, at an early period, tattooed their skins, and were similar in 
most of their barbarous manners and customs. 


Map No. 5. — What river north of Helvetia? What lake northeast? 
What river bounds Vindelicia, Noricum,and Pannonia on the north ? Pan- 
nonia on the east ? Into what river do the CE'nus, Dravus,and Savus rivers 
flow ? In what mountains do they take their rise ? What lakes in Pan¬ 
nonia ? What country north of Helvetia, Vindelicia, and Noricum ? North 
and east of Pannonia ? South ? What towns lay on the Danubius river ? 
On the Dravus ? Savus ? What sea west of Illyricum ? What countries 
east ? What country north ? South ? 

Map No. 4.—What islands extend along the coast of Illyricum? What 
was thU northern group called ? The middle ? Southern ? Which is the 
largest island of each group ? The most southern ? This island is, by 
some, supposed to have been the scene of the apostle Paul’s shipwreck, but 
the general opinion is in favour of the Italian Melita. 

-55- 


MCE'SIA, DA'CIA, SARMA'TIA, ETC. 

1. Mce'sia comprised the country which lay between the Da- 
nu'bius or Is'ter river, and the Hae'mus mountains; it extended 
westward from the Eux'ine sea to the river Dri'nus, and corre¬ 
sponded to the modern provinces of Ser'via and Bulga'ria. 

2. This region was inhabited, at an early period, by the Scyth' 
ians and the Ge'tse. It once formed a part of the dominions of 
Philip of Macedon, and afterwards of the Romans. The western 
division was called Superior or Upper, and the eastern, Inferior or 
Lower Mce'sia. 

3. The Dri'nus, Mar'gus,and (Es'cus are, after the Danube, the principal 
rivers. The Hae'mus mountains, which formed the southern boundary 
were so called from Hae'mus, a Thracian king, who was changed to a 


Metulum ? What is said of Scardona ? The other towns ? 14. What is 

said of the inhabitants, &,c. ? To what nation were they similar ? 

Q. 1. What did Moesia comprise ? To what modern provinces did it 
correspond ? 2. By what nations was Moesia inhabited at an early period ? 

Of what did it once form a part ' Afterwards? Name its divisions. The 
orincipal rivers. What is said of the Hoemus mountains T The chief 





DACIA, SARMATIA 




l**j 


mountain for aspiring to divine honours. Nicop'olis, one of the chief towns, 
was built by Tra'jan,to celebrate his victories over the Da'cii. Sardica was 
famous for a council of the church. Nais'sus was the native place of 
Con'stantine the Great. Marcianop'olis was named after Marcia'na, the 
sister of Tra'jan. To'mi, on the Eux'ine sea, was the town to which the 
poet Ov'id was banished. 


DA'CIA. 

4. Da'cia was an extensive country, situated to the northward 
of the river Is'ter; it was about 550 miles from east to west, and 
400 from north to south. It included the chief part of what is 
now Hungary, with Transylvania and Walla'chia. 

5. The inhabitants were, for a long period, formidable enemies to Rome, 
but were at length conquered, in thp early part of the second century, by 
the Emperor Trajan. He established a number of Roman colonies in Da'¬ 
cia, which existed until the country was overrun by the Goths, and other 
barbarians. 

6. The Pons Traja'ni (Trajan’s Bridge) was built by Tra'jan across the 
Is'ter, on his expedition into Da'cia : it was a fine substantial structure, 
about two-thirds of a mile in length ; its ruins may still be seen. It was 
broken down by the Emperor A'drian out of envy, under the pretencqg|>at it 
favoured the incursions of the barbarians. Ul'pia Traja'ni, the Roman 
capital, was a colony established by Tra'jan: the chief of the other towns 
were Ulpia'num, Utid'ava, Axiop'olis, Ap'ulum, &c. 

sarma'tia. 

7. Sarma'tia was an extensive region, which stretched from 
the Coda'nus Si nus, or Baltic Sea, to the river Rha, and from the 
Cau casus and the Pa'lus MsBo'tis to the Northern Ocean: it com¬ 
prised the whole of Poland and European Russia, and was divided 
by the river Tan'ais into European and Asiatic Sarma'tia. 

8. The Sarma'tians comprised many tribes, the whole of whom led a 
wandering life, plundering all who fell in their way. Like many other 
savages, they painted their bodies, bn engaging in battle, to make their ap 
pearance as hideous and terrible us possible. Most of the Sarmatian tribes 
lived under tents, but some lived in v^agons; hence they were called Ha- 
maxob'ii; and some, it is said, fed on milk mixed with the blood of horses. 

9. The Chersone'sus Tau'rica, now the peninsula of the Crime'a, was, in 
early times, inhabited by the Cimme'ri, and afterwards by the Tau'ri, a 
people noted for their cruelty to strangers ; all who fell into their hands were 
sacrificed to a virgin goddess that they worshipped. 


towns? Of Sardica? Naissus? Marcianopolis? Tomi ? 4. Describe 

Dacia. Its extent. 5. What is said of the inhabitants ? When and by 
whom were they conquered ? What did Trajan establish in Dacia, &c. ? 
6. What is sa : d of the Pons Trajani ? What did Adrian oo? What is 
said ofUlpia Trajani? The other towns? 7. Describe Sarmatia. What 
did it comprise ? How was it divided ? 8. Describe the Sarmatians. Their 

habits. Mode of life. Food. 9. What nations inhabited the Chersonesu* 



142 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


10. On the coasts of the Eux'ine sea and the Pa'lus Mceo'tis numerous 
colonies were founded by the Greeks. Crem'ni, on the Pa'lus Maeo'tis, was 
the place where the Am'azons are said to have landed when they quitted 
Asia Minor, on their route to Scyth'ia. Chersone'sus was long the seat of 
the flourishing republic formed by the people of Heraele'a, a Greek State on 
the opposite shores of the Eux'ine Sea. Tan'ais, 01'bia,and Panticapae'um 
were all noted cities; at the last named Mithrida'tcs the Great died. 


hyperbo'rean regions. 

11. Hyperbo'rean was the name given by the ancients to the 
unknown regions of the north, or, more properly, to a nation or 
country beyond the dominion of the wind Bo reas. They de¬ 
scribed that part of the earth as the abode of darkness and the 
realm of shades ; yet, at the same time, by a singular incongruity, 
they imagined it to contain the paradise of the sun, and the resi¬ 
dence of the blessed. 

12. The inhabitants of these fabled regions were reported to live in a de¬ 
lightful climate, to enjoy a happy temperament of mind and body, and to 
attain to the age even of a thousand years. No disease affected them ; but, 
withmri labour and without care or strife, they lived happily and enjoyed 
the l^rour of the gods. 

13. As the north became better known, the country of the Hyperbo'reans 

was placed more and more remote. Some sought it east of the Hyper¬ 
bo'rean mountains, in the centre of Asia; while others thought it lay west 
ward of that range. The entire hypothesis originated, probably, in the 
traditions of the golden age, when man existed in primeval happiness, and 
enjoyed those blessings of existence, the remembrance of which was trans¬ 
mitted from generation to generation, among the nations of the ancient 
world. _ 

Map No. 5. —What river separated Mcesia and Dacia ? Below the mouth 
of the Savus river this stream was called the Ister; above it, the Danubius. 
What sea east of Mcesia and Dacia ? What mountains south of Maesia ? 
What formed the western boundary ? Point out the towns named in the 
text. What country lay north of Dacia ? West ? What river formed 
its southern and western boundary? Eastern? What rivers ran into the 
Ister? The Euxine sea? What people inhabited Dacia? What mountains 
in the north ? What river separated Sarmatia from Germany ? From 
Scythia? Asiatic Sarmatia ? Dacia? What Sarmatian rivers flowed into 
the Codanian sea ? The Euxine ? Palus Macotis ? Caspian ? How long 
are each of these rivers ? Point out the Bastarnoe. Jazyges and other Sar¬ 
in atian tribes. Point out Panticapieum. The other towns in Taurica. 

Map No. 1.—Where are the Hyperborean regions placed ? Hyperborean 
mountains ? What is the modern name of this range ? 


Taurica? For what were they noted? 10. What people founded colonies 
on the Euxine sea, &c. ? What is said ofCremni ? Chersonesus ? Tanais ? 
Olbia? Panticapaeum ? What monarch died at the latter place ? 11. What 
is said of the name Hyperborean ? 1 low did the ancients describe that part 

of the earth ? What did they imagine it to contain? 12. What is said of 
the inhabitants, &c. ? 13. What is said of the regions of the north, &c. ? 

In what did the hypothesis originate ? 




BARBAROUS NATIONS. 


143 



THE BARBAROUS NATIONS WHICH DESTROYED 
THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 

1. For more than five hundred years the sway and influence 
of Rome was predominant in the civilized world ; but, about the 
end of the fourth century, its power began visibly to decline; a 
succession of barbarous tribes from the North and the East then 
commenced their inroads on the empire, and in the course of the ' 
succeeding hundred and fifty years they overthrew the Roman 
power, and changed entirely the condition of the civilized world. 

2. Of these nations, the most powerful were the Goths, the Huns, and the 
Vandals; among the less important were tlie A'lans, Gep'idae and Her'uli; 
besides whom were the Lom'bards, Burgun'dians, Sue'ves, An'gli and Sax'- 
ons, Franks, Aleman'ni, &c. All these nations were ferocious and warlike; 
in their incursions they spared neither age nor sex, and inflicted on the 
countries they ravaged the most terrible calamities. 

3. The Goths were first settled in Scandina'via, but they lJ^hat 
country, and founded an extensive kingdom in Sarma'tia. About 
A. D. 370, internal dissensions divided the nation into Ostro or 
Eastern, and the Visi or Western Goths. Being driven from their 
possessions by the Huns, the Os'trogoths settled in Pannoma, and 
the adjacent regions, while the Vis'igoths proceeded southward 
and invaded Greece and Italy. 

4. Al'aric, their noted leader, was the least barbarous of all the conquer¬ 
ors who ravaged the Roman empire. He commanded, A. D. 395, the 
Gothic auxiliaries who were united with the Romans under Theodo'sius to 
repel the Huns, then about to invade the western empire. This alliance 
disclosed to Al'aric the weakness of the former masters of the world, and 
inspired him with the resolution of making war upon them, and conquering 
their remaining territories. 

5. The dissensions of the Romans soon enabled the Goths to invade Italy 
with success; they traversed the entire peninsula, from one end to the 
other, and captured Rome three different times; first in 408, when Alaric 
was induced to spare the city, on receiving a ransom of 5000 pounds of gold, 
and 30,000 pounds of silver, besides a large amount of other valuables. 

6. The city was again taken in 409, and then in 410. At the last cap¬ 
ture it was given up to plunder for six days, but all the churches, and most of 
the works of art were spared. Al'aric died the same year. The Romans 
celebrated this event with public rejoicings, but the work of desolation was 


Q. 1. What is said of Rome and its influence ? Its decline ? What then 
occurred ? 2. Which were the most powerful barbarous nations ? The less 

powerful ? What others are named ? 3. What is said of the Goths ? Their 
divisions? 4. Of Alaric? What did this alliance disclose ? 5. What is 

said of the Romans 7 The first capture of Rome ? G. The second and third ? 
When did Alaric lie? What did the Romans do in consequence? 7. What 



144 


CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Boon lenewed, as the barbarians had learned the road to Rome. A1 aric had 
taught them the weakness of the former queen of the world. 

7. After his death the Vis'igoths established themselves in Gaul, and then 
in Spain, where they were conquered by the Moors. Ilodenc, their king 
(called the last of the Goths), was killed A. D. 712, in battle against that 
people. The Os'trogoths invade'd Italy A. D. 489, and defeated Odoa'cer, 
king of the Her'uli, who had become king of Italy. Theod'oric, the Os'tro- 
gothic ruler, then assumed the title, and founded a new kingdom, which 
existed about sixty years. 

8. The Huns or Hun'ni were a Scythian nation from the banks 
of the river Rha or Volga: dissensions among themselves in¬ 
duced great numbers of them to emigrate westward. In their 
progress they encountered the Alans and the Goths, whom they 
drove before them; they then traversed various countries, produc¬ 
ing, by their numbers and aggressions, a general movement among 
the rude nations resident along the frontiers of the Roman empire. 

9. Their ferocious ruler, At'tila (the Scourge of God, as he called himself), 
was the terror of his age. In the course of a few years he extended his 
power from the Caspian to the Adriatic sea. The emperors of the East and 
the West paid him tribute, and many of the Van'dals, Os'trogoths, Gep'idse, 
and Franks served under his banners. 

lO^At'tila advanced, A. D. 450, to the banks of the Rhine, for the pur- 
pose of invading Gaul, when whole forests were cut down to furnish boats 
for transporting his immense host of 700,000 men across that stream. At 
Durocatalau'num, now Chalons, he was routed by a confederate Roman and 
Gothic army, when 200,000 of the Huns were slain. At'tila, however, soon 
recruited his forces; he then invaded Italy, and was about to march 
towards. Rome, but was diverted from his purpose. His death, which oc¬ 
curred A. D. 453, put an end to the incursions of the Huns; they retired 
eastward to the Pa'lus Maeo'tis, and their name became lost to history. 

11. The Vandals (Wanderers) crossed the Baltic from Scandina'- 
via into Germany, and emigrated thence to Sarmatia; returning to 
Germany they joined the Alans and the Sueves in an invasion of 
Gaul, and then of Spain, where they founded an important State. 
The territory on which they settled, in that country, was called 
Vandalit'ia, now changed to Andalusia. 

12. From Spain many of the Vandals passed over into Africa, and estab 
hshed an extensive kingdom. From hence their king, Genes'eric, invaded 
Sicily and Italy and captured Rome, A. D. 455. In that city his army 
committed such outrages, that the term Van'dalism has become proverbial 
for any wanton display of barbaric atrocity. On the death of Genes'erio 
the power of the Vandals in Africa was overthrown by Belisa'rius. 


occurred after the death of Alaric ? What is said of the Ostrogoths? Of 
Theodoric ? 8. Of the Huns ? Their dissensions ? Progress? What did 
their numbers, &c. produce ? 9. What is said of Attila ? What sovereigns 

paid him tribute? What nations served under his banners ? 10. What is 

said of the invasion of Gaul? Of Attila’s defeat? What did he do then 1 
To what did his death put an end ? 11. Describe the course of the VandaJs, 

What was their territory in Spain called, &c.? 12. What did many of the 

Vandals do? What is said of Geneseric? 



BARBAROUS NATIONS. 


145 


-57- 

1. The Alans were an Asiatic nation, and resided near the Cas¬ 
pian Sea ; being attacked by the Huns, they retired westward, end 
in A D. 407 joined the Vandals and Sueves in their invasion 
of Gaul and Spain. The Alans then settled in Lusitania, and 
were afterwards incorporated with the Vis'igoths. The Sue'ves, a 
German nation, united with the Alans and Vandals, in the before- 
mentioned invasion, when, separating from their confederates, they 
settled in the northwestern districts of Spain. 

2. The Aleman'ni and the Franks comprised powerful confederacies of 
German tribes, rather than distinct nations. The Franks (Freemen), A. D. 
400, passed the Rhine into Gaul, drove out the Romans, and founded the 
present kingdom of France. Their king, Clovis the Great, crowned him¬ 
self with his own hands, at Rheims, A. D. 496. The Aleman'ni (or All 
Men, as the name implies) overran various parts of the empire, and had 
many conflicts with the Romans; they afterwards settled both on the east 
and west sides of the Rhine, but were expelled from the latter by Clovis. 

3. The Gep'idae left Scandina'via, and settled first on the river Vistula, 
and then on the Tan'ais. Becoming tributary to the Huns, many of^fhem 
accompanied At'tila into Gaul and Italy: after his death they resided in 
Da'cia and Illyr'ica, and were finally destroyed by the Lombards. 

4. The Her'uli emigrated from Scandina'via to the vicinity of the Pa'lus 
Mseo'tis; but, after the death of At'tila, they returned westward, made 
repeated attacks on the empire, and deposed the last emperor, Rom'ulus 
Augus'tulus. . Their ruler, Odoa'cer, then became the first king of Italy, A. 
D. 476, from which period is dated the end of the western empire. 

5. The Burgun'dians, a nation from the banks of the Vistula, invaded 
Gaul about A. D. 410, and established the kingdom of Burgundy, which 
was afterwards incorporated with the French monarchy. The Lombards 
(Longobardi, or Long beards) were of Scandinavian origin ; they crossed the 
Baltic, established themselves first on the Vistula and then on the Danube, 
whence they invaded Italy, and founded the kingdom of Lombardy. 

6. The Angles and Saxons were warlike German nations, whom the 
Britons invited to their aid against the Scots and Piets. They landed A. D. 
449, under the command of Hengist and Horsa, repelled the aggressors, and 
then turned their arms against the Britons, whom they conquered after a 
war of 120 years’ duration. During this period the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, 
called the Heptarchy, were established. From the Angles the name Angle- 
land, now England, is derived. 

7. During the seventh century the Saracens or Arabs, the followers of 
Mahomet, commenced their career of conquest. In A. D. 712 they passed 
from Africa into Spain (where they were called Moors), overthrew the 

Q. 1. What is said of the Alans? Their union with the Vandals and 
the Sueves ? Describe the course of the Sueves. 2. What is said of the Ale- 
manni, &c. ? Of the Franks ? Of Clovis ? What course did the Alemanni 
pursue ? 3. What is said of the Gepidte ? 4. Of the Heruli ? Who did they 

depose ? What did Odoacer become ? 5. What is said of the Burgundians 7 

The Lombards? 6. The Angles and Saxons? What name was derived 
from the Angles ? 7. Describe the progress of the Saracens. When were 

13 K 




CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


146 

kingdom of the Vis igoths, and established a Mahometan empire, which in¬ 
cluded the whole peninsula, except the province of Asturias. This State 
existed until the time of Columbus, when the Moors were driven from Spain 
by Ferdinand, the husband of Isabella. 

8. The Danes and Normans or Northmen inhabited Denmark and Norway, 
and lived chiefly by piracy. About A. D. 800 they began their incursions 
by sea, spreading terror and desolation along nearly all the coasts of Europe 
for more than a hundred years. The Normans, at length, founded a new 
kingdom in Italy, and a new duchy in France, and three of the Danish kings 
became successively sovereigns of England. 

9. The Danes and Normans were the last of the barbarous nations of the 
dark ages. At the period when their depredations ceased, the various little 
States which rose on the ruins of the Roman empire, had gradually merged 
into a few great monarchies, which, in the general outline, have continued 
to the present day. 

10. The feudal system was now gradually introduced over the greater 
part of Europe. The king, being regarded as the owner of the territory he 
governed, divided the lands amongst his lords and barons; the latter, pos¬ 
sessing almost despotic sway within their own limits, reduced the people 
to a state of comparative slavery or vassalage, waged numerous private wars 
against each other, and practised various robberies and extortions. 

11. During this turbulent period, all refined arts and pursuits languished, 
and ignorance was general; men of the highest rank were unable to read 
or write, and the limited degree of knowledge then existing was confined to 
the monasteries, and known only to their inmates, the monks and the clergy. 

12. The institution of chivalry, which arose during the feudal ages, by 
introducing a higher sense of honour and a refinement of manners before 
unknown, operated favourably upon the world. The Crusades, also, those 
memorable expeditions to the East, undertaken for the conquest of the Holy 
Land, though accompanied with much extravagance of conduct and loss of 
life, tended, on the whole, to the improvement of European society. 

13. In later ages a succession of remarkable events, the overthrow of the 
feudal power, the revival of learning, and the invention of printing, have 
produced wonderful improvements among all the nations of Europe; theii 
intercourse with each other is much more liberal and enlightened; the 
ferocity of war has been diminished ; the arts and sciences generally carried 
nearer to perfection, and the great mass of the people placed in a position 
far above what the same class occupied in ancient times. 

Map No. 12.—Which three nations were Asiatic? Which were Scandi- 
navian ? German? What nations crossed the sea to Britain? What 
nation to France ? The Mediterranean ? What nations crossed the Baltic? 
The Straits of Gibraltar ? What three nations formed a union in Germany ? 
W here did they separate ? What nation came from beyond the river Rha? 
Beyond the Tanais ? The Nile ? What seven kingdoms did the Angles 
and OwXviis luuuu in Britain ? N. M. E.-A. E. S. K. W. 

the} driven from Spain ? 8. What is said of the Danes and Normans ? When 
did they begin their incursions, &c. ? 9. What were the Normans, &c. ? 

What was the state of things in Europe when their depredations ceased ? 
10. What is said of the feudal system ? The king ? The lords, &c ? Con¬ 
dition of the people ? IE Describe that period. Men cf rank. The degree of 
knowledge then existing, &c. 12. What is said of chivalry and its effects ? 

The Crusades? Their tendency ? 13. What occurred in later ages ? What 

did these events produce, &c. ? 




SACRED GEOGRAPHY 


INTRODUCTION. 

1. Sacred Geography is a description of those parts of the 
earth that are mentioned in the Scriptures of the Old and New Tes¬ 
tament. It refers more particularly to Palestine or the Holy Land, 
and may be said to commence with the creation of the world. 

2. Like all the nations of antiquity, the Israelites conceived the 
surface of the earth to be an extensive plain, “ over which the 
heavens were spread like a curtain beneath was supposed to be 
a deep pit, “ the abode of darkness and of the shadow of death.” 

3. The Greeks, Phceni'cians and Other early nations, regarded the earth 
as comprising one great island, surrounded on every side by the ocean; but 
nothing is known as to the views of the Hebrews on that point. To the 
west, the remotest object for them was the sea, with its isles afar off; but 
to the east, where land was seen indefinitely extending, they formed the idea 
of an inland termination of the earth, without being able to attach to it any 
precise limits. 

4. The great divisions, Europe, Asia and Africa, are not men¬ 
tioned in the Bible. Asia is spoken of in the New Testament, but 
is believed to refer to the Roman proconsulship or province of 
Asia, which occupied the western part of Asia Minor. 

5. Several parts of Europe are named in Scripture, but, except as con¬ 
nected with the illustration of the travels of the apostle Paul, that part of 
the world has scarcely any connection with sacred geography. Egypt, 
Althio'pia, and other African countiies are spoken of in the Old Testament, 
and Lib'ya or Cyre'ne in the New, but no general name for Africa seems to 
have been known. 

6. Being ignorant of the great oceans, the Israelites regarded the Medi. 
terra'nean as the largest collection of water existing, and hence called it the 
Sea or Great Sea. The other seas known to them were the Red Sea, the 
Dead or Salt Sea, and the Sea of Galilee. The two last, though called seas, 
n Scripture, are properly lakes. 

7. The Euphrates and Hid'dekel, both mentioned in the description of the 

Q. 1. What is sacred geography ? To what does it refer, Ac. ? 2. What 

did the Israelites conceive ? What was supposed to be beneath the earth ? 
3. How did the Greeks and others regard the earth? What were the 
opinions of the Hebrews with respect to the west? The east? 4. What is 
said of the great divisions? Of Asia? 5. Of Europe? Egypt, &c.? 
6. How did the Israelites regard the Mediterranean ?. What other seas 



148 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


garden of Eden, Gen. ii. 14, are the only large rivers expressly named in 
the Bible that are now known. The first, which still bears, with us, the same 
name, the Hebrews called, by way of eminence, “ the Great River,’’ Deut. 
i. 7 and considered it to be one of the grand boundaries of the earth. 1 he 
Hid dekel is now called the Tigris. The Nile is not positively mentioned, 
but is alluded to, in Scripture, as “the river,” Gen. xli. 1. The Gihon ana 
Pison, rivers of Eden, are unknown; some authors suppose the first to bo 
the Araxes, and the other, the Phasis of classical geography. 

8. The nations residing in the immediate vicinity of the children 1 of Is 
fael were the Philis' tines, the people of Tyre and Sidon, and southern Syria 
the Am'monites, the Mo'abites, the E'domites, the Amal'ekites and the Mid. 
ianites; farther distant were Egypt, the districts of Central and Southern 
Arabia, and Northern Syria; still more remote were the Assyrians, the 
Babylo'nians or Cfialde'ans, the E'lamites or Persians, the Modes, and the 
^Ethio'pians. Tar'shish, O'phir, and the Isles, Gog, Magog and the North, 
are also alluded to by the Hebrew writers,.as placed at the farthest limits 
of their knowledge. India was not known to the Israelites until the time 
of the Babylonish captivity. 

9. The only credible account which we have of the origin of 
the world is contained in the Bible; there we are informed, that 
when the Lord God had created man, he placed him in the garden 
which he had planted eastward in Eden, to dress it and to keep 
it: this garden was also called Paradise, and here our first parents 
lived in a state of happy innocence, until they were driven from it 
for disobeying the commands of their Creator. 

10. The situation of the garden of Eden is unknown, and various opinions 
are held respecting it; some believe that it was in that part of Asia in which 
the Euphrates, the Tigris, and several other rivers take their rise ; some 
near the confluence of those streams; and some still farther eastward. The 
Hindoos say that the spot that was occupied by the garden of Eden is now 
the delightful valley of Cashmere. 

11. The first occupations in which men engaged were husbandry and 
pasturage. Cain was a tiller of the ground, and Abel a keeper of sheep. 
Subsequently, music and the working of metals were discovered ; and, doubt- 
less, all the common mechanic arts were practised. The Land of Nod (Gen. iv. 
16), to which Cain retired after the death of Abel, was on the east of Eden, 
her** he founded the first recorded city, and named it Enoch, after his first- 
borr son. Here, also, he became the progenitor of a reprobate race, called, 
to distinguish them from the rest of mankind, the Children of Men. 


were known to them ? 7. What is said of the Euphrates and Hiddekel ? What 
did the Hebrews call the firvt ? What is said of the latter ? The Nile ? The 
Gihon, &c. ? 8. What nations resided in the vicinity of the children of Israel? 
f arther distant? Still more remote ? What is said ofTarshish, &c. ? India ? 
9. What is said of the origin of the world ? Where did man first reside ? 
For what purpose was he placed there ? What was the garden of Eden 
also called, &c. ? 10. What is said of its situation? What opinions are 

held respecting it ? 11. What were the first occupations of men ? Wha. 

was Cain ? Abel 1 What was invented subsequently ? What is said of 
the land of Nod ? What did Cain found here ? What did he also be- 
come ? 



SETTLEMENT OF THE EARTH. 


149 


- -2 - 

SETTLEMENT OF THE EARTH AFTER THE FLOOD. 

1. The flood or universal deluge, which occurred 1656 years 
after the creation, or 2348 years B. C., is the most remarkable 
physical event that has occurred within the knowledge of man. 
This awful catastrophe covered the surface of the whole earth with 
a waste of waters, rose above the highest mountains, and swept 
away and destroyed every living creature except those that were 
saved in the Ark. 

2. It is believed, by some, that the earth, at the time of the flood, was very 
populous; and we learn from the sacred records, that the inhabitants had 
become so wicked, that the Almighty determined to destroy all mankind, 
except the few individuals composing the family of righteous Noah. 

3. As the waters of the flood subsided, the Ark rested on the summit of 
Mount Ar'arat, supposed to be the high mountain in Arme'nia that has 
always borne that name; but, by some, it is imagined to have been an ele 
vation in that lolly range in which the Indus, the Ganges and other grea> 
rivers have their rise. 



Noah’s Sacrifice. 


4. Noah and his family left the ark, and descended into Lie 
plains at the base of the mountain, about a year after the com¬ 
mencement of the deluge. Here the venerable patriarch built un 
altar, and offered up sacrifices unto the Most High. And God 
blessed Noah and his sons, and made a covenant with them that 
the earth should never again be destroyed by a flood, and set his 
bow in the cloud as a token of the covenant. (Gen. ix. 13.) 

Q. 1. When did the flood occur? What is said of it? 2. What is be. 
lieved by some ? What do we learn from sacred record ? 3. What is said 

of the ark? Of Mount Ararat ? 4. When did Noah and his family leave 

the ark? What then did Noah do? What did God make with Noah? 

13 * 





150 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


5. In the course of the first century after the flood, the descendants of 
Noah had, no doubt, wandered to a considerable distance from their first 
settlement, at the foot of Mount Ar'arat. At this time, “ the whole earth (or 
mankind) was of one language and of one speech,” Gen. xi. 1, and “ as 
they journeyed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shi'nar; ana 
they dwelt there.” 

6. And they said one to another, “ let us build a city, and a tower whose 
top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered 
abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” But their projects were, doubtless, 
contrary to the divine will, for the Lord confounded their language, so that 
they could not understand one another’s speech. “ So the Lord scattered 
them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth : and they left off to 
build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel.” 

7. About this time (2233 years B. C.), Nimrod, the grandson of Ham, 
“ began to be a mighty one in the earth,” and is called the mighty hunter 
before the Lord ; Gen. x. 8. He is supposed to have been the first warrior, 
and probably the first conqueror who substituted the monarchical for the 
patriarchal form of government. He founded the kingdom of Babel or 
Babylon. Contemporary with him were Asshur, who established the Assyr¬ 
ian, and Miz'raim, the second son of Ham, who laid the foundations of 
the Egyptian monarchy. 

8. Noah, the second father of mankind, was about 600 years 
old, at the time of the flood, and from his three sons the whole of 
the human race are descended. Ja'pheth was the eldest son ot 
Noah; Shem the second; and Ham the youngest. 

9. The posterity of Ja'pheth are supposed to have peopled Europe and the 
northern regions of Asia. Gomer, his eldest son, is thought to have been 
the ancestor of the Celtic nations ; Magog, of the Scythians; Javan or Ion, 
of the Ionians and the other Greeks. 

10. Elisha, Tar'shish, Kit'tim,and Dod'anim were grandsons of Ja'pheth 
By these, we are told, that the isles of the Gentiles were divided or settled. 
The regions alluded to were doubtless the islands of the Mediterra'nean sea, 
as well as the almost insular regions of Spain, Italy, Greece, and perhaps 
Asia Minor. According to the prediction of Noah, God has enlarged Ja'¬ 
pheth ; his descendants have for ages comprised, and do now comprise, the 
most powerful nations in the world, and his posterity exercises dominion 
over more than one-half the globe. 

11. To Shem and his sons, it is probable, that the nations of the central 
and southern parts of Asia owe their origin. E'lam was the ancestor of the 
E'lainites or Persians; Lud, of the Lyd'ians ; and Aram, of the Arame'ans 
or Syrians. From Arphax'ad, who settled in Mesopota'mia, the Hebrews 
and Arabians derived their descent through Abraham. The early posterity 

5. What probably occurred during the first century after the flood ? What 
was tne state of the earth at this time, &c. ? 6. What did they say one to 

another ? What is said of their projects ? What was the result ? 7. What 

is said of Nimrod ? How many years is it since he lived ? Who were 
contemporary with him ? 8. What is said of Noah ? Of his three sons ? 

Which was the oldest son? The second? The youngest? 9. What is 
said of the posterity of Japheth ? Who was the ancestor of the Celtic 
nations ? Of the Scythians ? The Greeks ? 10. Who were grandsons of 

Japheth? What regions did they settle? What is said of the predictions 
of Noah, &c, ? 11. What is said of Shem and his sons? What did the 



ORIGIN OF THE ISRAELITES. 


151 


u. 3hcm seem generally to have adopted a pastoral life; and, in a portion 
of his family, the true worship of God was preserved for many ages, while 
all the rest of mankind were sunk in heathen idolatry. 

12. The descendants of Ham comprised some of the earliest-civilized 
nations of the world ; Egypt, Lib'ya, JEthio'pia, Ca'naan, Phoenicia, and the 
southern and eastern parts of Arabia were peopled by them. Babel or 
Babylon was also founded by Nimrod, the grandson of Ham. All the 
nations of this family were, at an early period, noted for their wickedness 
and devotion to idolatry, and have generally sustained greater political 
changes than those descended from the other sons of Noah. 

— 

Map No. 6. — Point out Mount Ararat. Shinar. Assyria. Babylonia or 
Chaldea. (This country was called, at first, Babel.) Egypt or Mizraim. 
These countries were the first, of which we have any account, that were 
settled by the descendants of Noah. Babel or Babylon, Erech, Accad and 
Calneh, built by Nimrod ; and Nineveh, Rehoboth, Calah, and Resen, built 
by Assliur; were the first cities that were founded after the flood. 


-3 


ORIGIN OF THE ISRAELITES, ETC. 

1. The Hebrews, Israelites or Jews are the descendants of the 
patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob : they were called Hebrews 
from Eber or Heber,* the great grandson of Shem, from whom 
Abraham was descended; afterwards they obtained the name of 
Israelites, from Jacob or Israel. On their return from Babylonish 
captivity the .term Jews, from Judah, was adopted, and has been in 
use until the present time. 

2. This remarkable race was selected by God himself almost 4000 years 
ago, as a chosen people, who might preserve his worship undefiled by the 
idolatry of the surrounding nations, and transmit his ordinances to their 
posterity; but, in consequence of their sins, they were long since driven 
from their own land, and dispersed amongst all the nations of the earth. 

3. Abram or Abraham, the ancestor of the Hebrews and the 
Arabians, was born at Ur of the Chaldees, a town in Pa'dan A'ram 
or Mesopotamia, about 2000 years B. C., and was descended, in 
the eighth generation, from Shem, the second son of Noah. 

4. Though he lived amongst an idolatrous people, he carefully refrained 
from joining in their worship, and was a bright example of faith and piety. 


early posterity of Shem adopt? 12. What did the descendants of Ham 
comprise, &c. ? What were the nations of this family noted for? 

Q. 1. From whom are the Hebrews descended ? From whom were they 
called ? What is said of their other names ? 2. On what account was this 

remarkable race selected ? What took place in consequence of their sins ? 
3. What is said of Abram? 4. What is said of his conduct? Of his obe- 

* Some^uppose that the Hebrews received their name because they came from beyond the 
•ver (Eiiphralsfy: the word Hebrew signifies to pass over 









152 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


In obedience to the command of God, he left Haran, where he resided with 
Terah, his father, and removed to Canaan, that he might behold a country 
that his descendants should inherit after him. (Gen. xii.) This emigration 
is known as the “Call of Abraham;” it took place when he was about 
seventy-five years of age, and in the year 1021 B. C. 

5. Abraham resided in several parts of Canaan, but chiefly in the South, 
near to Hebron, and also at Gerar and Beer'sheba. Here he became rich in 
gold, silver, and cattle, and had a numerous household. He had at this 
time two sons, Ishmael, the progenitor of the Arabians, and Isaac, his heir. 
The latter, at the divine command, he took to the top of Mount Moriah* for 
the purpose of offering him -dp in sacrifice; but God, having tried the faith 
and obedience of Abraham, provided a victim in place of the pious youth 
(Gen. xxii.) 



Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah. 


6. The venerable patriarch died at the age of 175 years, and was buried 
with his wife Sarah, in the cave of Machpe'lah, near Hebron, by his sons 
Isaac and Ishmael; the former resembled his father in his faith and steadfast 
obedience to the will of God, and resided in the same part of Canaan. His 
son Esau was the ancestor of the E'domites, while Jacob, whose name was 
afterwards changed to Israel, was the father of twelve sons, from whom the 
twelve tribes of Israel descended. 

7. The sale of Joseph, the ‘beloved son of Israel, as a slave, by his en. 
vious brethren, to the Ishmaelitcs, and his providential elevation, by which 
lie became “ ruler over all the land of Egypt,” led to the removal of his 
father, then 130 years old, with his family, into that country, to escape the 
grievous famine that prevailed about the year 1706 B. C., in the land of 
Canaan. Here they settled, in the land of Goshen, a rich pastoral district 
on the eastern side of the Nile. 


diencc to the command of God? When did his emigration occur? How 
old was Abraham at this time ? 5. What is said of his residence in Canaan ? 

Of his sons ? What occurred to Isaac? 6. What is said of the age and death 
of Abraham ? W’here was he buried ? What is said of Esau ? Jacob ? 
7. What is said of Joseph ? To what did his elevation in Egypt lead ? 
Where did the Israelites settle ? 8. What were the Egyptians ? What is 

* Mount Moriah is supposed to havo been the hill on which Solomon afterwards built the 
temple at Jerusalem 












EGYPT AND ARABIA PETRjEA. 


153 


8. The Egyptians were a grossly idolatrous people; yet the descendants 
of Jacob, though living amongst them, preserved the worship and knowledge 
of the true God, and grew and multiplied greatly. In process of time, a 
new king arose, who knew not Joseph, who had no regard for his services, 
and no respect for his kindred ; he therefore reduced the Israelites to slavery, 
and employed them in making brick and in building cities. 

9. At length Moses, the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, was raised 
up by God to deliver the Israelites from their cruel bondage, and to lead 
them back to Canaan, the land promised to Abraham as their inheritance. 
After many wonderful miracles had been wrought by Moses, they were 
finally delivered from slavery, and left the land of Egypt. 

10. The country lying eastward of Lower Egypt, and extending 
from the Red Sea to the land of Canaan, is the region in which the 
children of Israel resided for forty years, after their departure from 
Egypt. It forms a part of Arabia Petroea, and was the scene of 
many noted miracles and events, which, notwithstanding the lapse 
of ages, continue to excite the attention of all civilized nations. 

11. It is a dry, sterile region, composed of sandy deserts, rocky valleys, 
and rugged mountains, and is almost destitute of water. The desert or 
wilderness of Paran comprises a large portion of it, of which the section that 
lies between the eastern and western gulfs of the Red Sea is usually called 
the Isthmus of Mount Sinai. 

12. The principal mountains are Mount Sinai, Mount Horeb, Mount Hor, 
and Mount Seir. Horeb is one of the peaks of Sinai. On Mount Hor, 
Aaron, the brother of Mcraes, was buried. Mount Seir or Edom was the resi. 
dence of the children of Esau ; westward of the latter dwelt the Amalekites, 
who fought against the children of Israel during the early part of their journey. 

13. Mount Sinai consists of two peaks ; the most eastern is about 6000 
feet high, and bears the name of Sinai; the other is Mount Horeb: the 
former, in ancient times, was often called the Mount of God; at present the 
Arabs call it Jebel Moosa, the Mountain of Moses. There has been, for a 
long time, a Christian monastery on Mount Sinai, which, for fear of the 
Arabs, is entered by a door that is placed at a distance of thirty feet from 
the ground. Visitors, provisions, &c. are drawn up in a basket attached to 
a strong rope. The convent is inhabited by about thirty monks. 

Map No. 6.—Point out Padan Aram. Ur. Haran. Canaan. — Map No. 
8.—Point out Shechem or Sichem. Beth-el. Ai or Hai. Hebron. Beer- 
sheba. Gerar. These are the places mentioned in Scripture at which 
Abraham resided 4n the land of Canaan. Where is the Cave of Machpa- 
lah ?—Map No. 7. — Point out Egypt. The Red Sea. The peninsula formed 
by its two gulfs. Point out Mount Sinai. Mount Horeb. Mount Hor. 
Mount Seir. The wilderness or Desert of Paran. 

said of the descendants of Jacob ? What took place in process of time ? To 
what did he reduce the Israelites ? How were they employed ? 9. What 

is said of Moses ? What was the result of the miracles wrought by Moses? 
JO. What is said of the country east of Egypt? Of what was it the scene, 
&c. ? 11. Describe this region. What does the Desert of Paran comprise ? 

12. Which are the principal mountains? What is said of Mount Horeb ? 
Mount Hor? Mount Seir? 13. Describe Mount Sinai, &c. What was 
it called in ancient times ? What is its present name ? What has been 
tor a long period on Mount Sinai ? What is said of it ? Visitors. &c. ? 




.54 


SACKED GEOGRAPHY. 


-4- . 

JOURNEYINGS OF THE ISRAELITES THROUGH 
THE WILDERNESS. 

1. The Children of Israel left the land of Egypt in the year 
1491 B. C., after a sojourn of 215 years; reckoning from the 
time that Jacob and his family first took up their residence there. 
In that period they had increased, from a family of 70 persons, to 
upwards of 600,000 men, with their wives and children. 

2. In order to prove his people, the Lord did not lead them 
immediately to the promised land, but directed their march into 
the wilderness or desert; and, during their wanderings, they dwelt 
in tents, in which the tribes were arranged in the manner shown 
in the engraved plan of the encampment. (See Map No. 7.) 

3. Departing from Ram'eses, a city in the land of Goshen, in Egypt, they 
journeyed to Suc'coth, and ihence to E'tham, where the pillar of a cloud by 
day, and the pillar of fire by night, first appeared to direct their march. 
Passing onwards to Pi-hahi'roth, they arrived on the coast of the Red Sea, 
opposite to Baal-ze'phon. 

4. There its waters were miraculously divided, and the Israelites marched 
across as on dry land; but the king of Egypt and his army, who pursued 
them, in attempting to follow, were overwhelmed by the waters of the sea, 
and were all drowned. (Exod. xiv. 27.) 

5. At Ma'rah, the first encampment east of the Red Sea, the waters that 
were bitter were made sweet. Proceeding to E'lirn, the Israelites found 
twelve wells of walerand seventy palm trees. They next pitched their tents 
by the sea-shore, and thence journeyed through the wilderness of Sin, where, 
for the first time, they were supplied with quails and manna ; a miracle 
that was continued, without intermission, except on the Sabbath days, until 
they entered the land ofCa'naan. (Exod. xvi. 13, 14.) 

6. From the Desert of Sin, passing by Doph'kah and A'lush, they reached 
Reph'idim, where there was no water, at which the people murmured; but 
Moses, being directed by the Almighty, obtained a miraculous supply by 
striking the rock, in Ilo'reb, with his rod; the place was hence called Mas'- 
sail and Mer'ibah. Here the Amal'ckites attacked the Israelites, but they 
were defeated by Joshua with the chosen men of tlie host. (Exod. xvii.) 

7. In the vicinity was Mount Si'nai, on the summit of which the law, 
containing the Ten Commandments, was given by God himself, to Moses, 
amid the thunderings and lightnings and quaking of the Mount. Here 

Q. 1. When did the Israelites leave Egypt? How many years since that 
period? What is said of their sojourn ? Increase? 2. What did the Lord 
do to prove his people ? How did they dwell in their wanderings ? 3. From 

at city did they take their departure. &c. ? What first appeared at 
Etham? Where did they cross the Red Sea? 4. What is said of that 
event? Of the king if Egypt, &c. ? 5. What was done at Marah? 

What is said of Elim? What took place in the wilderness of Sin? 6. At 
Rephidim 1 Horeb ? 7. What occurred at Mount Sinai? What did 




JOURNEYINGS IN THE WILDERNESS. 155 


Aaron, while Moses was absent on the mount, made the golden calf, here, 
also, the tabernacle was first set up; and here Moses was visited by his 
(hther-in-law, Jeth'ro. (Exod. xviii. and xix.) 



Moses on Mount Sinai with the Tables of the Law. 


8. From Mount Si'nai the Israelites proceeded northward, towards Ca' 
naan. Passing by Tab'erah, Kib'roth-hatta'avah, Haze'roth and Rith'mah, 
they arrived at Ka'desh-Bar'nea. From hence Moses sent out spies to view 
the land of Ca'naan, who, on their return, reported the inhabitants to be war 
like and powerful. The Israelites, terrified at this account, murmured 
against Moses; it was, in consequence, decreed by God that all who were 
then twenty years old and upwards should die in the wilderness, except 
Caleb and Joshua. (Num. xiv.) 

9. After a long sojourn at Ka'desh-Bar'nea, during which the rebellion of 
Ko'rah, Da'than, and Abi'ram took place, the host of Israel proceeded to 
Rim'mon-parez, and thence, in succession, to Lib'nah, Ris'sah, Kehel'athah, 
Mount Shaph'er, Har'adah, Makhe'loth, Ta'hath, Ta'rah, and various other 
places, to E'zion-ga'ber, at the head of the eastern gulf of the Red Sea. 
From this station they marched through the wilderness of Zin to Ka'desh- 
Mer'ibah, where Mir'iarn, the prophetess and sister of Aaron, died. Here 
Moses again obtained water for the people, as at Ilo'rcb, by striking a rock. 

10. Proceeding to Mount Hor, Aaron also died, and was buried at Mo- 
se'ra, on the summit of the mount, in the fortieth year after the departure 
from Egypt. Journeying from Mount Hor to Zalmo'nah, the Israelites were 
plagued by fiery serpents, and many died of their bites ; the rest were cured 
by looking on a brazen serpent, which Moses was directed to set up. 
(Numb, xxi.) 

11. From Zalmo'nah they marched by Pu'non, O'both, Ije-ab'arim, Di'bon. 
gad and Armon-diblatha'im to Ja'haz, where Si'hon, king of the At: orites, 
opposed their progress; but his army was totally routed, as was also that of 
the giant Og, king of Ba'shan, who was defeated at Ed'rei. 


Aaron do ? By whom was Moses visited here ? 8. What took place at 

Kadesh-Barnea ? What did the spies report? What was the result? 
9. Who rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea, &c. ? Where did Miriam die ? What 
did Moses do at Kadesh-Meribah ? 10. Who died at Mount Hor ? Where 

was he buried? What occurred at Zalmonah, &c.? 11. What king was 

routed at Jahaz ? At Edrei? 12. What did Moses after that? Where 


* 













150 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


12. While the Israelites remained on the east side of Jordan, Moset 
having taken a solemn farewell of the people, and chosen Joshua to be their 
leader, went up to the top of Pisgah to view the land promised to Abraham. 
Isaac,and Jacob, and there, at the age of 120 years, he died. (Deut. xxxiv.) 
Moses was the most renowned of lawgivers and prophets, and the most 
highly favoured among the sons of men, in his intercourse with the Deity, 
whom he knew face to face. 

13. In the year 1451 B. C., forty years after the departure from Egypt, 
the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry land ; its rapid waters being divided 
for their passage. (Josh, iii.) This event, with the miraculous capture of 
Jericho, filled the Canaanites with terror and dismay; yet it was not until 
after a contest of six years’ duration that they were finally subdued. 


Map No. 7.—Where is Egypt ? The land of Goshen ? Rameses ? Point 
out the track of the children of Israel to the Red Sea. To Mount Sinai? 
To Kadesh-Barnea. Ezion-gaber. Kadesh-Meribah. Mount Hor. Zal- 
monah. Jordan river. Jericho. Where is Canaan ? Edom ? Amalek ? 
Moab ? Ammon ? The kingdom of Sihon ? Of Og ? See engraved 
plan, “ Form of the camp of the Israelites.” What occupied the centre of 
the camp ? What was in the court ? What tribes lay on the east side of 
the camp ? West ? North ? South ? Where were the tents of Moses and 
Aaron ? Of the Gershonites ? Kohathites and Merarites ? The three 
last named were families of the Levites or priests appointed to perform the 
service of the tabernacle. 




THE LAND OF C A'N A AN, ETC. 

1. The region which the Israelites conquered under the com¬ 
mand of Joshua was called, at first, the Land of Ca'naan, from the 
son of Ham, whose posterity settled in it at an early period. (Gen. 
x. 6.) It was afterwards called the Promised Land, because it 
was promised to Abraham and his posterity (Gen. xvii. 8); and 
the Land of the Hebrews, from Eber, the ancestor of Abraham 
(Gen. xl. 15.) 

2. Other names applied to it were the Land of Israel, from Ja¬ 
cob or Israel (1 Sam. xiii. 19); the Holy Land, from being the 
land of God’s chosen people (Zech. ii. 12); the Land of Judah or 
Judea, from the tribe of Judah (Is. xix. 17); the Lord’s Land (lies, 
ix. 3); and the Land of Palestina or Palestine* (Is. xiv. 29). 


did he die? How old was he? What is said of him ? 13. What took 

place forty years after the departure from Egypt ? What is said of this event? 

Q. 1. What is said of the region conquered by the Israelites? What 
was it afterwards called ? 2. What other names were applied to it ? 

* Palestine was originally the Greek name for the Land of the Philistines, a small country in 
the southwest part of the Land of Israel; it is now more generally used than any other, except, 
perhaps, the term Holy Land. 


* 






THE LAND OF CANAAN, ETC. 


157 


3. The first known inhabitants were the Avim, the Horites or dwellers in 
caves, the Reph'aim or giants, the An'akims or sons of Anak, and some 
others. All these nations were either driven out of the country by, or be. 
came embodied with, the Ca'naanites. The latter founded a number of little 
republics, of which thirty-one were conquered by Joshua. 

4. The Ca'naanites comprised the Sido'nians or Phcenic'ians, the Ilit'tites, 
Jeb'usites, Am'orites, Gir'gashites, Hi'vites, Ark'ites, Si'nites, Ar'vadites, 
Zem'arites and Ham'athites. These were the families descended from the 
eleven sons of Ca'naan. The first six tribes occupied what was afterwards 
the land of Israel; the remainder resided farther north. The Per'izzites 
(wanderers) are supposed to have settled here at a later period than the 
Ca'naanites: they were also conquered by Joshua ; but a remnant of them 
existed until the reign of Solomon. 

5. Before the time of Abraham, many of the Ca'naanites worshipped the 
true God, but afterwards they all became gross idolators, offered human 
sacrifices to their idols, and made their children pass through the fire to 
Mo'loch. Their possessions were therefore bestowed on the Israelites, in 
fulfilment of the promise made to Abraham (Gen. xii. 7), and also because 
of the denunciation uttered against Ca'naan and his posterity. (Gen. ix. 25.) 

6. Besides the Ca'naanites, there were, immediately adjoining the Land of 
Promise, several nations, by some of whom the Israelites were, at times, 
greatly oppressed. These were the Syr'ians, the Philis'tines, the Amal'e- 
kites, the E'domites, the Am'monitcs, the Mo'abites, and the Mid'ianites. 
These nations were spared from extermination in order to prove Israel, but 
most of them were finally subdued by David and Solomon. The Sido'nians 
were never conquered by the Israelites, and the Philis'tines, though for a 
time under their dominion, continued to be a distinct people until the days 
of Judas Maccabae'us. 

7. The Israelites took possession of the Land of Ca'naan be¬ 
tween the years' 1451 and 1445 B. C. At that time they num¬ 
bered upwards of 600,000 men over twenty years of age (Numb, 
xxvi), besides Le'vites ; from which data it is certain that the entire 
population was not less than two and a half millions. When Jo'ab 
numbered the people, by David’s command, there were in Israel 
800,000 warriors, and 500,000 in Judah (2 Sam. xxiv. 9), besides 
tributaries and slaves; the Hebrew nation, therefore, at that time, 
must have amounted to near six million souls. 

8. The tribes of Israel, before they had a king, formed twelve separate 
republics, each having specific bounds, and each preserving its own chiefs 
ami elders. The worship of Jehovah, however, formed a common bond of 
union, which united them into one federal State. At this time the national 
affairs were administered by judges specially raised up by the Lord. 


3. Who were the first known inhabitants ? What is said of them ? 4. Wha 

did the Canaanites comprise? From whom were they descended? What 
is said of the first six tribes ? The others ? The Perizzites ? 5. What is 

said of the worship of the Canaanites before the time of Abraham ? After¬ 
wards ? On whom were their possessions bestowed ? 6 What nations 

were there adjoining the land of Canaan ? What is said of them ? Of the 
Sidonians ? The Philistines ? 7. When did the Israelites take possession 

of the land of Canaan ? What were their numbers at that time ? In David's 
time ? 8. What did the tribes of Israel form before they had a king ? 

14 



158 


SACKED GEOGRAPHY. 


9. From the days of Joshua to those of Saul, a lapse of about 350 years, 
there were fourteen judges, who exercised in succession the office of chief 
magistrate. This period has been called the heroic age of Israel; every man 
did what seemed good in his own eyes, and the nation acknowledged no 
sovereign but Jehovah. Personal courage and military talents were the 
qualities then most esteemed in a ruler, and the judges were the leaders of 
armies, rather than expounders of the law. 

10. Of these individuals the most renowned were Oth'niel, Gid'eon, Jeph'.< 
ihah, Samson,and Samuel; the first delivered his country from the bondage 
of the Mo'abites ; the second, from that of the Mid'ianites; the third, of the 
Ain'monites, and the last two, from the Philis'tines. Samson was noted for 
his prodigious strength; nearly all his recorded feats are miraculous and 
superhuman, and he is believed to be the original of the Hercules of the 
Greeks and other heathen nations. 

11. Samuel was the last of the judges, and was also a prophet; he puri¬ 
fied the religious worship, reformed the manners of the nation, and drove 
out the Philis'tines. His last act of authority, and which he performed with 
reluctance, but at the earnest wish of the people, was anointing and crown¬ 
ing Saul as king, 1095 B. C., thus changing the government from a com- 
m on wealth to a monarchy. 


Map No. 7.—Where is the land of Canaan ? The land of the Philistines? 
Where are the countries of Syria ? Ammon? Moab ? Edom? Midian ? 
Amalek ? Point out the Hittites. Jebusites. Amorites. Hivites. Gir- 
gashites. Sidonians. The foregoing six nations inhabited Canaan Proper. 
— Map of Northern Canaan .—Point out the Sinites. Zemarites.. Arkites. 
Arvadites. Hamathites. 


KINGDOMS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH. 

1. During the reign of Saul, and the succeeding reigns of Da¬ 
vid and Solomon, the twelve tribes were governed by one monarch; 
and hence they became more closely united. David, by his skill 
m war, acquired large accessions of territory. Jerusalem was 
adopted as the capital, and the nation gradually gained power and 
importance. 

2. At this period the kingdom stretched far beyond the limits 
of the land of Israel; it included tKe whole of Syria, from the 
Orontes river eastward to the Euphrates, besides a portion of the 
northern part of Arabia. David compelled the Syrians, the E'dom* 


What is said of their bounds, &c. ? Of the worship of Jehovah? The 
national affairs ? 9. The judges ? What has this period been called ? 

What was then the sfcvte of things? What were the qualifications most 
esteemed, &c. ? 10. Who were the most renowned judges ? What is said 

of Samson ? 11. Of Samuel ? What was his last act of authority ? 

Q. 1. What occurred during the reign of Saul, &c. ? What is said of 
David ? Of Jerusalem ? Of the nation ? 2. What is said of the kingdom 1 




159 


KINGDOMS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH. 

ites, and other nations, to pay him tribute; he thus amassed a 
large amount of treasure, which he left to his son Solomon as a 
sm red deposit for building a national temple at Jerusalem. 



Queen of Sheba. 


3. The reign of Solomon was the golden age of Israel, and, under his 
government, the nation reached its highest state of prosperity. The renown 
of the sovereign extended far and wide, and his name is still proverbial for 
wisdom, learning, and magnificence. The queen of Sheba, attracted by his 
fame, came to Jerusalem from the remotest parts of Arabia, with a nume¬ 
rous train, laden with the choicest gifts of her kingdom as presents to Solo¬ 
mon ; and, having seen all his wisdom and all his prosperity, declared that 
it far surpassed what she had heard. (11 Chron. ix.) 

4. Solomon erected the splendid temple which his father had long con¬ 
templated ; when completed, it was dedicated, in a solemn festival, to the 
service of Jehovah, 1003 B. C. During his reign the metropolis became a 
magnificent city; but, in the latter part of his life, the kingdom declined 
in strength, and the people groaned under the heavy burdens laid on them, 
while the increased intercourse with foreign nations disposed the sovereign, 
as well as the people, to favour their idolatrous worship and practices. 

5. Shortly after the death of Solomon, the injudicious conduct of his son 
Rehobo'am caused a division of the kingdom, 975 B. C. That prince re¬ 
tained the sovereignty of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which took the 
name of the Kingdom of Judah. The other ten tribes formed the Kingdom 
of Israel, and chose Jerobo'am as king. 

6. Although Israel was larger and more populous, Judah was more 
wealthy, and retained possession of the chief city and the national temple, 
as well as of the established priesthood. The power of the two States was 
nearly equal, and obstinate and bloody wars were often waged between them 

What did it include? What nations paid tribute to David, &c. ? 3. What 

was the reign of Solomon ? What occurred under his government ? What 
is said of the renown of the sovereign ? Of the Queen of Sheba? 4. What 
did Solomon erect? When was it completed? What is said of the ine- 
tropolis ? What occurred in the latter part of Solomon’s life ? 5. After his 

death? Of what was Rehoboam king? Jeroboam? 6. What is said of 
Israel ? Of Judah ? Of their power? 7. How long did Israel survive the 















160 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


7. The Kingdom of Israel survived the division of the original monarcny 
253 years, and had nineteen successive kings, every one of whom were 
wicked and idolatrous. During that period the people gradually lost all 
knowledge of the true God, and became worshippers of idols. At length 
Shalmane'zer, king of Assyria, made war against Israel, took Samaria, after 
a siege of three years, and led the inhabitants away captive, in the year 729 

B. C. This event is called the “ captivity of the ten tribes.” 

8. The kingdom of Judah continued to be an independent State for 386 
years after the division in the time of Rehobo'am, or until the year 588 B. 

C. At that time Jerusalem was taken, the temple was demolished, and the 
people were carried away captive into Babylonish captivity by Nebuchad- 
nez'zar, king of Babylon. 

9. Seventy years afterwards, Cyrus, king of Persia, who had, in the mean 
time, overthrown the Babylonish monarchy, set the Israelites at liberty (now, 
for the first time, called Jews), permitted them to return to their native land, 
and to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem. The latter, called the 
second temple, was consecrated to the worship of God in the year 515 B. C. 

10. From this time the Jews continued, for a period of 350 years, to be 
tributary, in succession, to the Persians, the Greeks, the Egyptians, and the 
Syrians. Under these different nations, the local government was frequently 
administered by the Jewish high priests; yet the people were often griev¬ 
ously oppressed. The Jews rose, at length, against the Syrians, under Ju¬ 
das Maccabae'us (the hammerer), defeated them in various battles, and re¬ 
gained their independence. 

11. At a later period Aristobulus, a descendant of Judas Maccabae'us, 
became king of the Jews, 105 B. C. His successors were called Asmone'- 
ans. Two brothers of this race having declared war against each other, 
the Roman general, Pompey, interfered in the contest, during which he 
conquered Palestine, 63 B. C. Subsequently Herod, an Idumean, was 
placed on the throne of the Muc'cabees, but subject to the control of Rome. 

12. The reign of Herod was rendered memorable by the birth 
)f the Saviour (Matt. ii. 1), and also by the murder of the infants 
>f Bethlehem (Matt. ii. 16). Six years afterwards, procurators or 
governors were appointed over Judea, one of whom was Pontius 
Pilate, who condemned Christ to death. Samaria and the other 
districts were governed by Herod’s sons. 

13. After a time the wfyole of Herod’s dominions were bestowed, with the 
title of king, on Herod Agrippa, one of his grandsons, mentioned, in Acts 
xii. 1, as “ Herod the king.” Agrippa II., his successor, was the monarch 
before whom, and the Roman governor, St. Paul made his defence at Caesa- 
re'a. (Acts xxv.) The continued oppressions of their foreign rulers, at 
length, excited the Jews to rebel against them, and a furious warfare corn- 


division? How many kings had it? What is said of them? What did 
Shalmanezer do? 8. How long did Judah continue ? What then occurred ? 
9. What did Cyrus do ? What were the Israelites then called ? When was 
the second temple consecrated? 10. To whom were the Jews afterwards 
tributary, &c. ? What is said of the local government ? What did the 
Jews do under Judas Maccabteus ? 11. What is said of Aristobulus ? What 
were his successors called ? What led to the conquest of Palestine by Pom- 
pey ? What is said of Herod ? 12. For what was his reign memorable ? 

What occurred afterwards? What is said of Samaria? 13. What is said 



GEOGRAPHY OF PALESTINE. 


101 


nienced A. O. 66, which terminated, live years afterwards, in the events 
which ho been foretold alike by Moses (Deut. xxviii.) and by our Lord 
Matt, r jv ), as the punishment of the rebellious house of Israel,— the 
*stru <.ior jf the city and temple of Jerusalem, and the dispersion of their 



Jerusalem taken by the Komans. 


Map No. 6.—Point out Aram or Syria. Ammon. Moab. Israel. Edom. 
Amalck. These countries comprised the kingdom of David and Solomon, 
with the exception of the small strip of territory on the sea-shore belonging 
to Tyre and Sidon. The kingdom extended from the Red Sea to the Eu¬ 
phrates, 600 miles, and inland from the coast 150 to 200 miles. — Map No. 
8. — Point out the tribes of Asher. Naphtali. Zebulon. Issachar. Ma- 
nasseh this side Jordan. Ephraim. Dan. Simeon. Manasseh beyond 
Jordan. Gad and Reuben. These ten tribes formed the kingdom of Israel 
Point out Judah and Benjamin. These formed the kingdom of Judah 


PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF PALESTINE. 

POSITION, EXTENT, MOUNTAINS, ETC. 

1. Palestine or the Holy Land extends along the shores of the 
Mediterranean Sea, from north lat. 31° to 33° 30', and from long. 
34° 30' to 37° east from Greenwich, a distance of 175 miles from 
north to south, and from 50 to 00 miles from east to west. 

2. In latitude, it corresponds with the States of Georgia, Ala¬ 
bama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and comprises an area of about 
13,500 square miles, being nearly one-third as large as Pennsylvania. 

i>f Herod’s dominions, <fcc. ? Of Agrippa II. ? What excited the Jewstc 
rebel ? What then occurred ? How did these events terminate? 

Q. 1. Describe the position of Palestine. Its extent. 2. With what 
States does it correspond in latitude? What is its area? 3. What was 

14 * L 


















)02 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


3. In ancient times Palestine was a fertile and productive region, 
rich in grain, fruits, and cattle. Most parts of the country were 
carefully cultivated; the declivities of the hills were cut into ter¬ 
races, of which, in some places, the vestiges still remain, and were 
covered with plantations of the choicest productions. 

4. Moses describes it as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (E.vod. 

iii. 8); a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, of oil, 
olives, &c., and where Ihere is no lack of anything; other inspired writers 
call it a pleasant land, a glorious land, and the glory of all lands. 

5. The condition of this once favoured country is entirely changed. The 
despotism of the Turks, and the robberies of the Arabs, have made it almost 
a desert, and reduced the inhabitants to one-tenth of their former numbers. 
Its once noble cities are now poor villages; and -most of its former towns 
are extinct. The curse, denounced for the sins of the Jews, has come upon 
it. “For thus hath the Lord said, the whole land shall be desolate.” (Jer 

iv. 27.) 

6. Palestine “ is a land of hills and valleys” (Deut. xi. 11); it is 
traversed by two ranges of mountains, one on the western, and 
the other on the eastern side of the river Jordan. Of these moun¬ 
tains Leb'anon is the highest; Her'mon, Gil'ead, and Car'mel are 
the next most noted. 

7. Leb'anon is a magnificent mountain, and is always covered with 
snow. Its height and grandeur, and the fertility of its valleys, are often 
alluded to by the Hebrew writers. It was famed for its fine cedar trees, 
but they are now, as predicted by the prophet (Isa. x. 19), nearly all de¬ 
stroyed. These trees were the resort of eagles (Ezek. xvii. 3), and the lofty 
summits of Lebanon, as well as the adjacent mountains, were the haunts 
of lions and leopards. (Sol. Song iv. 8.) 

8. Eastward of the Jordan are the mountains of Her'mon, Ba'shan, Gil'ead, 
and Ab'arim. The summits of Her'mon, like those of Leb'anon, are covered 
with snow, of which, in ancient times, great quantities were carried to Tyre, 
and other cities, and sold as a luxury. Her'mon was likewise known by the 
names of She'nir, Sir'ion,and Zion. (Deut. iii. 9 ; iv. 48.) 

9. Ba'shan and Gil'ead were famous for their rich pastures, and the abun¬ 
dance of their cattle; the former, also, was noted for its stately oaks (Isa. 
ii. 13), and the latter for producing a medicinal gum called the Balm of 
Gil'ead. (Jer. viii. 22.) On this mountain Jacob and Laban set up the heap 
of stones as a witness of the covenant between them. (Gen. xxxi. 46.) South 
of Gil'ead were the Ab'arim mountains; on the highest of these, the top ol 


Palestine in ancient times? What is said of the country? The hills? 
4 How did Moses describe it? What do other inspired writers call it? 

5. What is said of the present condition of Palestine? Of the despotism 
of the Turks, &c. ? Its cities and towns? What has come upon it? 

6. By what is Palestine traversed? Which of these mountains is the 

highest ? The next most noted ? 7. Describe Mount Lebanon. For what 

was it famed ? What is said of these trees ? Of the summit of the mouti- 
tains? 8. What mountains lay eastward of the Jordan? What is said of 
Hcrmon ? By what other names was Hermon known ? 9. What is said 

of Bashan and Gilead ? What did Jacob and Laban do on Mount Gilead ? 
What mountains lie south of Gilead ? What occurred on the highest of 



MOUNTAINS OF PALESTINE 


163 


Pis'gah, Moses went up, viewed the Promised Land, and there he died 
(Dcut. xxxiv. 1.) 



Elijah’s Sacrifice consumed by Fire from Heaven. 


10. Mount Car'mel is on the sea-coast, it was once noted for its fertility, 
but is now barren and rugged ; the curse denounced by Amos has fallen 
upon it. (Amos i. 2.) On this mountain the prophets Elijah and Elisha 
dwelt; and there, in the presence of Ahab and all Israel, the sacrifice 
of Elijah was consumed by fire from heaven. (1 Kings xviii.) Tradition 
has preserved a knowledge of the place where the prophet prayed for rain, 
and where his servant saw the cloud rise out of the sea. (1 Kings xviii. 44.) 
There was another Mount Car'mel near the Dead Sea. 

11. Nearly east from Car'mel is Mount Ta'bor ; on its summit, according 
to tradition, our Saviour’s transfiguration took place. (Matt, xvii.) North 
of Ta'bor is the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Christ preached the sublime 
discourse called the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt, v.) Mount Gilboa is 
noted for its numerous springs, and also for the battle in which the tlnee 
sons of Saul were slain; and where he died by his own hand. (1 Sam. 
xxxi. 4.) 

12. Southward of Samaria are the Mountains of E'phraim or Israel. On 
Gaash, a hill belonging to this range, Joshua was buried. (Josh, xxiv, 30.' 
On Mount Quaranta'nia, situated between Jericho and Jerusalem, it is sup¬ 
posed, our Saviour was tempted by Satan (Matt. iv. 8): its name is not in 
Scripture; it is known by tradition only. 

13. Southward of Jerusalem are the Mountains of Judea; in many places, 
especially on the southern border, they are barren and desolate. These 
mountains formed the hill country of Judah or Judea, where the parents 
of John the Baptist resided. (Luke i. 39.) Near the Dead Sea is Mount 
Carmel, where Na'bal, the Carmelite, had his possessions. (I Sam. xxv.2.) 

14. The Mount of Olives is on the east side of Jerusalem; between it 
and the city is the Vale of Jehosh'aphat and the Brook Cedron. Hither 


these? 19. What is said of Mount Carmel? Who dwelt there? What 
took place there? What has tradition preserved? 11. What is said of 
Mount Tabor? Mount of the Beatitudes? Mount Gilboa ? 12. What is 

said of the mountains of Ephraim ? Gaash? Quarantania? 13. What 
mr untains lay southward of Jerusalem? What did they form? What is 






if54 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


our Lord frequently resorted, with his disciples; here he wept over Jerusa¬ 
lem, and predicted its downfall, and from the village of Bethany he ascended 
into heaven. (Luke xxiv.50, 51.) The southern part was called the Mount 
of Corruption, because on it Solomon built altars for the worship of strange 
gods. (2 Kings xxiii. 13.) 



Christ and his Disciples on the Mount of Olives. 


Map No. 8. — What country lay northeast of Palestine? Southeast? 
What countries south ? What people east? What sea west? The Medi¬ 
terranean was called, by the Israelites, the Sea, the Great Sea, the Sea of the 
Philistines, and the Uttermost Sea. Point out the mountains of Lebanon. 
Hermon. Bashan. Gilead. Abarim mountains. Mount Carmel on the 
sea-coast. Mount Carmel near the Dead Sea. Mount Tabor. Mount Gil- 
boa. Mountains of Ephraim. HillofGaash .—Map No. 9. — Point out the 
Mountain of the Beatitudes. Mount Quarantania. The hill country of 
Judea. 


PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF PALESTINE.— 

[continued.] 

RIVERS, LAKES, ETC. 

1. The principal river of Palestine is the Jordan ; it rises at th 
base of Mount Her'mon, passes southwardly through the country, 
and, after a course of 140 miles, flows into the Dead Sea. It is a 
deep and rapid river, and is about thirty yards wide, in the lower 
part of its course._ 

said of Carmel ? 14. What is said of the Mount of Olives ? Of our Lord ? 

Wliul w^s the southern part of the Mount of Olives called, &c. ? 

Q. 1. Which is the principal river of Palestine ? Describe its rise, course. 


* 















RIVERS AND LAKES OF PALESTINE 165 

2. This stream is celebrated as the scene of several miraculous 
events. Its waters “ stood, and rose up upon an heap,” to allow a 
passage for the Israelites, on their journey from the desert (Josh, 
iii. l(y; and they were afterwards divided by the prophets Elijah 
and Elisha. (2 Kings ii.) In the Jordan, at Bethab'ara, our 
Saviour was baptized by John the Bapfist. (Matt. iii. 13; John i. 
28 .) 

3. The Jab'bok, Gad'ara,and Hesh'bon wei ■*. the largest tributaries of the 
Jordan ; the former was the boundary between the kingdoms of Og and 
Sihon. Jaeob forded it, on his return from Pa dan A'ram. (Gen. xxxii 
22.) The Che'rith was the small brook on which Elijah dwelt when he was 
fed by the ravens. (1 Kings xvii. 5, 6.) 

4. The Ki'shon, the Ka'nah, the Lebanon, and several other streams, flow 
into the 4 Mediterranean Sea. On the banks of the Ki'shon, Sis'era was 
defeated by Ba'rak (Judg. iv. 7—15), and here, too, Elisha slew the priests 
of Ba'al. (1 Kings xviii. 40.) The Ka'nah was the boundary between the 
tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. (Josh. xvii. 9, 10.) From the fertile 
valley of the Esh'col, the spies carried away a bunch of grapes as a speci¬ 
men of the fruits of the land. (Num. xiii. 23.) In the vale watered by the 
So'rek, Deli'lah, mentioned in the history of Samson, dwelt. (Judg. xvi. 4.) 

5. The Be'sor was crossed by David in pursuit of the Amal'ekites who 
had plundered and burnt Zik'lag. (1 Sam. xxx. 9, 10.) The River of Egypt, 
Shi'hor or River of the Wilderness, was the most southern stream in the 
Land of Israel: it is mentioned Amos vi. 14; Num. xxxiv. 5; 1 Chron. 
xiii. 5. 

6. The Ce'dron, Kid'ron or Ke'dron flows past the city of Jerusalem into 
the Dead Sea; over this brook David passed when he fled from Absalom 
(2 Sam. xv. 23), and our Lord also crossed it on the night in which he was 
betrayed. (John xviii. 1.) The Ar'non, called likewise the River of Gad 
(2 Sam. xxiv. 5), was the boundary between the tribe of Reuben and the 
Mo'abites. The largest only of the foregoing streams contains water all the 
year; the others are dry during the summer. 

7. The Dead Sea is the salt lake into which the river Jordan 
discharges its waters; it is called, in Scripture, the Sea of the 
Plain, the Salt Sea, and the East Sea; the Greek name is Lake 
Asphalti'tes; the Arabs term it Bahr el Lout (Sea of Lot). . It occu¬ 
pies the Vale of Sid'dim, in which stood Sodom and Gomor'rah, 
and the other cities that were destroyed by “ brimstone and fire 
from the Lord out of heaven.” (Gen. xix. 24.) 

8. The water of the Dead Sea is very bitter, and so highly charged with 
salt, that persons bathing in it can float with more ease than in any othe* 


&c. 2. For what is it celebrated ? Who was baptized in it ? 3. Which 

were its largest tributaries? W’hat was the Jabbok? The Cherith ? 
4. What is said of the Kishon, &,c. ? What occurred on its banks ? What 
was the Kanah ? What is said of the Eshcol ? Sorek ? 5. What is said 

of the Besor ? The River of Egypt ? 6. What is said of the Cedron ? Who 
passed it ? Who crossed it ? What was the Arnon ? What is said of the 
foregoing streams? 7. What is the Dead Sea? By what names is it 
called in Scripture? What is the Greek name ? Arab name ? What does 



166 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY 


On the shores of the lake scarcely a tree or blade of grass is to be seen: 
both animals and birds are extremely rare, and the whole region has an air 
of solemn and death-like stillness; whence its name of Dead Sea has been 
derived. By recent observation, the-surface of this lake is ascertained to be 
nearly 1400 feet lower than the surface of the Mediterranean. 

9. The Sea of Galilee is the largest of the two fresh water lakes, through 
which the river Jordan passes: it was called the Sea of Gennes'aret (Mark 
vi, 53), and the Sea of Tibe'rias (John vi. 1.) Its first name was the Sea 
of Chin'nereth or Chin'neroth. (Num. xxxiv. 11.) The river flows through 
without mingling (it is said) „s waters with those of the lake. The latter 
still abounds in fish, as when the apostles left their nets to become “ fishers 
of men” (Mark i. 17); but the fishery is now of little importance. 

10. The scenery around the lake is exceedingly beautiful, and the adja¬ 
cent country, in ancient times, was so highly improved, that it was almost 
a paradise. Sudden storms of wind sometimes arise, such as occurred when 
our Lord was sleeping in the ship. “Then he arose, and rebuked the wind 
and the raging of the water : and they ceased, and there was a calm.” (Luke 
viii. 24.) On this lake, also, Christ walked on the water; and here Peter, 
when about to sink, was saved by his Divine Master. (Matt. xiv. 31.) 

11. The Waters ofMe'rom comprise a small lake north of the Sea of Gali¬ 
lee, through which the river Jordan flows. Early in the spring it is filled 
with water, but, in summer, it is little more than a marsh, and is overgrown 
with reeds and rushes, among which numbers of wild animals take refuge. 
Upon its banks the Israelites, under Joshua, defeated Ja'bin, king of Ha'zor, 
and his allies. (Josh. xi. 1—7.) 

12. The mountainous districts of the Holy Land abound in caves, which» 
in early times, were the abode of some of the native tribes: the Ho'rites, of 
whom we read, were dwellers in caves. (Gen. xiv. 6.) These caves wert 
also used as places of concealment, sometimes as places of voluntary resi¬ 
dence, and sometimes as burial-places: some of them were of great extent. 

13. The caves of Adul'lam and En'gedi sheltered David and his band ; in 
the nrsi ne hid himself with 400, and, in the second, with 600 men. (1 Sam. 
xxii.; 1 Sam. xxiv.) In the Cave of Obadiah a hundred prophets were hid. 
(1 Kings xviii. 4.) Elijah ancLElisha both dwelt in caves, on Mount Car'mel, 
and the Cave of Machpe'lah, near Iie'bron, was the burial-place of Abraham 
and his family. (Gen. xxiii.) 


Map No. 8. — Point out the river Jordan. Its rise. What parallels of 
latitude does it cross in its course ? What tributaries flow into it from the 
east? The west? What streams flow into the Mediterranean Sea ? Which 
is the most northern of these ? The most southern ? What river flows into 
the Dead Sea on its east side ? 


it occupy ? 8. What is said of the water of the Dead Sea ? Describe iti 

shores. Wnat has been recently ascertained ? 9. What is said of the Sea 

of Galilee ? By what names is it called ? What is said of the river? In 
what does the lake still abound, &.C.? 10. What is said of the scenery,&c.? 

Of sudden storms ? What occurred on this lake ? 11. What do the waters 

of Merom comprise ? Describe lake Mcrom. Whatoccurred on its banks? 

12. In what did the mountainous districts abound? What were they in 
early times? For what different purposes were they also used, &c.? 

13. What is said of the caves of Afullam and Engedi ? Cave of Oba iiah ? 
Elijah «fec 9 Cave of Machpelah ? 


r 




GEOGRAPHY OF PALESTINE 


167 


-y-.. 

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF PA LEST UN E.— 

[continued.] 

PLAINS AND VALLEYS, CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE, ETC. 

1. The terms wilderness and desert, met with in the Bible, do not always 
signify sandy deserts or barren wastes, but are often applied to fields and 
by-places reserved for pasture; such was the desert near Betlisa'ida (in l'e- 
riea), where Jesus fed the five thousand, and of which it is expressly said; 
“now there was much grass in the place.” (Johnvi. 10.) The wilderness 
of Judea, in which “came John the Baptist preaching” (Matt. iii. 1), lay 
along the west shore of the Dead Sea, and was probably, in most parts, 
desert and barren. 

2. Among the plains and valleys of Palestine, the Plain of Jezreel oi 
Esdrae'lon has been long noted for its fertility. It lies immediately east of 
the Kishon river, and is about thirty miles in length. It is one of the great 
battle-fields of Palestine, on which various noted conflicts have taken place. 
Here warriors of different nations have pitched their tents, and Jews and 
Gentiles, Christians and Saracens, Franks and Turks, have met in hostile 
array. 

3. Sharon or the Plain, which extends along the shores of the Mediterra¬ 
nean Sea, north of Joppa, was once the most lovely and fertile district in 
Palestine ; its rich pastures fed numerous flocks. Its excellency is alluded 
to in Isaiah xxxv. 2, and its roses in Solomon’s Song ii. 1. 

4. The plain or valley through which the Jordan flows is called, by the 
Arabs, El Ghor (the deep valley). It was once of great beauty and fertility, 
and was inhabited at an early period, being the pasture-ground chosen by 
Lot, when he separated from Abraham (Gen. xiii. 10); but it is now com¬ 
paratively barren. In ancient times it was called the Plain of Chin'neroth 
(Josh. xi. 2), the Plain of Jordan (2 Chron. iv. 17), and the “region round 
about Jordan” (Matt. iii. 5). 

5. It extends from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. The banks of the 
river are covered with a luxuriant growth of trees and herbage, which 
shelter wild animals of various kinds; but, in the spring, they are driven 
from their coverts by the rising waters of the swollen stream. To this cir¬ 
cumstance the prophet alludes (Jer. xlix. 19), “he shall come up like a lion 
from the swelling of Jordan.” 

6. The Valley ofReph'aim or Vale of the Giants extends from Jerusalem 
to Bethlehem it was remarkable for its excellent crops and its olive plan, 
tat ions. (Isa xvii. 5.) Westward lay the Vale of Elah, where David, th* 


Q 1. What do the terms wilderness and desert signify ? What is said 
of the desert of Bethsaida? The wilderness of Judea? 2. What plain has 
been long noted ? Describe its position. What is it, and what has taken 
place there 1 3. What is said of Sharon ? Its rich pastures, &c. ? 4. What 

is said of the plain or valley of the Jordan ? What was it once, &c. ? 
By what different names was it called ? 5. What is said of its extent ? 

Of the banks of the river ? What occurs in the spring, &c. ? 6 Describe 

the valley ofRephaim. What is said of the Vale of Elah? The Valley of 




169 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


youthful hero of Israel, slew the gigantic Goli'alh, who had “defied the 
armies of the living God.” (1 Sam. xviii. 2—10.) The brook, whence the 
victor chose the five smooth stones, still flows through the vale. The Valley 
of Salt, where Abish'ai slew 18,000 E'domites (1 Chron. xviii. 12), is a level, 
barren tract, at the southern extremity of the Dead Sea. 



David and Goliath. 


7. The climate of Palestine is Warm, but it varies with the surface of the 
country. In the low plains, during the summer, it is very hot; while on 
the mountains the cold of winter is often severe. The rains, during the latter 
part of the year, as well as in the spring, are copious; they are distinguished 
as the former and the latter rain; their importance to agriculture, parties 
larly the last, appears from the expression (Prov. xvi. 15); the king’s “fa¬ 
vour is as a cloud of the latter rain.” 

8. During the summer months there is no rain, but the dews are heavy 
and serve to refresh the thirsty vegetation. Their fertilizing influence is 
referred to in Scripture as a symbol of the divine blessing; “ I will be as the 
dew unto Israel.” (Hos. xiv. 5.) 

9. In the latter part of summer, the east w ind from the desert withers up 
the herbage, and its effects are often referred to in the Bible : “Shall it not 
utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it?” (Ezek. xvii. 10.) These 
easterly winds, now called Levanters, have always been dangerous to mari¬ 
ners : “ Thou breakest the ships of Tar'shish with an east wind.” tPs. 
xlviii. 7.) 

10. Agriculture was the chief employment among the Hebrews; Moses 
made it the basis of the civil constitution of Israel, by dividing the land 
among the people. In early times, the most distinguished individuals were 
cultivators of the soil. King Saul himself tilled his own ground (1 Sam xi. 
5), and Elisha was called from the plough to the office of a prophet. (1 Kings 
xix. 19.) As towns and cities began to multiply, many of the Jews devoted 
themselves to handicrafts and trading; but agriculture continued, at al 
times, to be the basis of the national prosperity. 


Salt ? 7. Describe the climate of Palestine. The rains, &c. How are 

they distinguished ? 8. What is said of the summer months ? The dews, 

&c.? 9. What occurs in the latter part of summer? What is said of its 

effects? Of the easterly wrinds? 10. What was agriculture? What did 

Moses make it? What is said of Saul? Elisha? What occurred when 












THE TWELVE TRIBES. 


169 


11. The Land of Israel was a pastoral, as well as fanning country, and 
the useful domestic animals were numerous : “ The pastures are clothed 
with flocks; the valleys also are covered with corn.” (Ps. Ixv. 13.) Be- 
sides sheep and oxen, the inhabitants had asses, goats and camels. The 
cattle fed on the hills of Ba'shan and Carmel were proverbial for their 
size and fatness; hence the frequent allusions, in Scripture, to the fatlings 
and oxen of Ba'shan. 

12. The Jews had but few horses, and, indeed, they were forbidden to 

multiply the breed. (Deut. xvii. 16.) Solomon, however, had 40,000 stalls 
of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. (1 Kings iv. 26.) He had 
dromedaries also. The children of Reuben, Gad, and Manas'seh, took 
50,000 camels from the Arabs. (1 Chron. v. 21.) Those animals were used 
both for warlike and domestic purposes. The ass was much in use, and was 
ridden by persons of superior rank. (Judges x. 4.) White asses were held 
in particular esteem, and were supposed to bestow dignity on the rider. 
(Judg. v. 10.) _ 

Map No. 9. — Where is Bethsaida in Pertea? Near what sea is it? 
Point out the wilderness of Judea. On which side of the Dead Sea is it?— 
Map No. 8.—Point out the Kishon river. The plain of Jezreel or Esdrae- 
lon extends along this stream ; it was partly in Issachar and partly in Ma- 
nasseh. Where is the plain of Sharon ? The Valley of the Jordan ? How 
many miles is it, by the scale, from the Sea of Chinneroth or Galilee to 
the Dead Sea? Where is the Valley of Salt ?—Map No. 10.—Where is the 
Vale of Rephaim ? The Vale of Elah ? 

-10- 

THE TWELVE TRIBES, 

WITH THE TOWNS NOTED IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES 

1. When the Israelites had conquered the land of Canaan, Jo 
shua divided it by lot among the twelve tribes. These were the 
descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, viz. Reu'ben, Sim'eon, 
Le'vi, Judah, Dan, Naph'tali, Gad, Ash'er, Is'sachar, Zeb'ulon, Jo¬ 
seph, and Benjamin. 

2. Two of these tribes gave no name to any lot or inheritance, 

namely, Levi, whose descendants were the priests of the nation, 
and Joseph, whose portion was divided beween his two sons, 
E'phraim and Manas'seh, whom their grandfather had adopted 
(Gen. xlviii. 5); and these two tribes took the places of Levi and 
Joseph. _ 

towns and cities began to multiply? 11. Describe the Land of Israel. 
What animals had the Jews ? What is said of the cattle fed on Bashan and 
Carmel? 12. What is said of horses? Of Solomon? The children of 
Reuben, &c. ? For what purposes were camels used ? What is said of the 
ass ? White asses ? 

Q. 1. What occurred on the conquest of the Land of Canaan? l'iom 
whom were the twelve tribes descended ? 2. What tribes gave no name to 

any lot, &c. ? What is said of Joseph’s two sons ? 3. What is said of the 

15 





170 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


3. The Le'vues or children of Levi were set apart by Moses as 
the ministers of religion, and also as the instructors ol the people. 
For their support they had the first-fruits, and the tenth of the 
produce of the land. They were distributed over the country in 
forty-eight cities, that were assigned to them for their residence. 
Six of these cities were appointed by Joshua as cities of refuge, to 
which the slayer, that killed any person unawares, might flee 
(Josh. xx. 7, 8, 9.) 

4. In apportioning the territory of the tribes, one-half tneir 
number were settled on the sea-coast, the remainder lay inland. 
Asher was the most northern, and Judah the most southern tribe. 
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, resided 
east of the river Jordan, in the territories of Og, king of Ba'shan, 
and Si'hon, king of the Am'orites. 

5. Reuben lay on the east side of the Dead Sea and the river Jordan, and 
north of the river Ar'non ; its territory was celebrated for the multitude of 
cattle, sheep, and goats it supported. Hesh'bon, a strongly fortified town, 
was the capital of the Am'orites; its fish-pools are alluded to in Sol. Song 
vii. 4. Med'eba was noted in the wars of David (1 Chron. xix.); Art'oer, 
Di'bon, and Ked'emoth, are all mentioned in Josh. xiii.; and Be'zer, in Deut. 
iv. 43. 

6. In Gad were Ja'besh Gil'ead (Judges xxi.) and Ra'moth Gil'ead 
(1 Kings xxii.); both were noted in the wars of the Israelites; at the latter 
Ahab, king of Israel, was slain. Mahana'im was the place where Jacob 
saw the host of angels coming to meet him. (Gen. xxxii. 2.) At Penu'el 
or Peni'el he saw God face to face, and there his name was changed to Israel. 
(Gen. xxxii. 30.) At Suc'coth he took up his residence, on iiis return from 
Pa'dan A'ram. (Gen. xxxiii. 17.) 

7. Near Zar'etan or Zar'than the brazen vessels were cast, by order of 
Solomon, for the temple. (1 Kings vii. 46.) Min'nith was noted for its 
wheat (Ezek. xxvii. 17); Rab'bath Am'mon, a fortified city, was the capital 
of the Am'monites; while Jo'ab was besieging it, Uri'ah, the husband of 
Bath'sheba, was treacherously slain. (2 Sam. xi. 17.) 

8. In Manasseh beyond Jordan was the town of Dan, in early times, the 

most northern in the land of Israel, as Beer'sheba was the most southern, 
hence the phrase, from “ Dan even unto Beer'sheba,” was used to denote 
the whole extent of the country. It is mentioned in the life of Abraham. 
(Gen. xiv. 14.) Here Jerobo'am set up one of his golden calves. (1 Kinffs 
xii. 29.) * 

9. Ge'shur was the b ; -*h-place of Ma'achah, Absalom’s mother; she was 
the daughter of Tal'mai, king of Ge'shur. (2 Sam. iii. 3.) Ar'gob, As'ta- 

Levites ? What had they for their support ? How were they distributed ? 
For what purpose were six of these cities appointed? 4. How were the 
tribes settled? Which was the most northern tribe? The most southern? 
Where did the tribes of Reuben, Gad, &c. reside ? 5. What is said of Reu¬ 

ben ? For what was it celebrated ? What is said of Heshbon ? Medeba, &c .! 
6. For what were Jabesh Gilead and Ramoth Gilead noted ? What occurred 
at Mahanaim ? At Pentad ? At Succoth ? 7. What was done at Zaretan or 
Zarthan? Minnith? Rabbath Ammon, &c.? 8. What is said of the 

town of Dan ? Where is it mentioned ? What was set up there ? 9. What 



THE TWELVE TRIBES. 


171 


roth, and Ed'rei were cities of the kingdom of Bashan ; at the latter, the 
gigantic king, Og, was defeated by the Israelites, before they crossed over 
Jordan. 

10. The territory of Asher was the most northern in Israel. In its 
boundaries were included the Phcenic'ian cities of Tyre, Sidon,and Accho, 
whose inhabitants the Ash'erites were unable to expel. Amongst the oftier 
towns were Mis'rephoth-ma'im, Hel'kah, Ach'saph, Beth'-rehob, and Zar'e- 
phath. At the latter the prophet Elijah dwelt, while there was a famine in 
the Land of Israel; and here he restored the widow’s son to life. (1 Kings 
xvii. 9-22.) 

11. In Zebulon was Gath-he'pher, the native place of the prophet Jonah. 
(2 Kings xiv. 25.) Bethu'lia was the town that was besieged by Holofer'- 
nes, general of the army of Nabuchodon'osor, king of Assyria, and delivered 
m the manner related in th£ Book of Ju'dith, eh. vii. Jok'neam or Jok'ne- 
am of Carmel, was a city of the Le'vites. (1 Chron. vu 68.) 

12. At Abel-Beth-ma'achah, in Naph'tali, the rebel She'ba was besieged 
by Joab. (2 Sam. xx. 15.) Ha'zor was the residence of king Ja'bin. 
Har'osheth was the town where Sis'era lived, who commanded the army of 
Ja'bin. (Judges iv. 2.) .Ke'desh-Naph'tali was the residence of Ba'rak. 
(Judges iv. 6.) 

13. In Is'sachar was Megid'do, on the river Ki'shon, famous for the battles 
fought in the extensive plain near it: here the army of Ja'bin was de¬ 
stroyed by Ba'rak (Judges iv. 15); Ahazi'ah died of the wounds received 
in battle against Jehu (2 Kings ix. 27), and Josiah was defeated and slain 
by Pha'raoh-Ne'eho. (2 Kings xxiii. 29.) 

14. Shu'nem was the place where the prophet Elijah restored to life the 
son of the Shu'namite woman. (2 Kings iv. 35.) At Do'than, whither Jo¬ 
seph had repaired to seek his brethren, he was sold by them as a slave 
to the Ish'maelite merchants. (Gen. xxxvii. 28.) A well, with a marble 
cover, supported by pillars, is traditionally pointed out as the “ pit” into 
which Joseph was cast. 


Map No. 8.—What tribes lay on the sea-coast ? What three lay west of 
Jordan, but did not extend to the sea ? What tribes east of Jordan ? Point 
out Reuben. What river formed its southern boundary ? Western? Point 
out Heshbon. The other towns. Where is the tribe of Gad ? What river 
on the west? What nation on the east? Where is Jabesh-Gilead ? Ra- 
moth-Gileau, and the other towns ? Point out Manasseh beyond Jordan. 
What mountains lay east ? What country east ? Where is the town of 
Dan? Geshur? T Uo other towns? Where is Asher? Point out the 
towns mentioned in the text. The Phoenician cities. Cabul. This was a 
district which Solomon gave to Hiram, king of Tyre, for the services which 
he had rendered him in building the temple. Where is Zebulon? What 
sea bounds it on the west ? Point out Gath-hepher. The other town* 
Where is Issachar? Where is Megiddo? Shunem? Dothan? Megiddo* 
This town stood on the western side of the plain of Jezreel. 

is said of Geshur? Argob, Astaroth and Edrei? What occurred at the 
latter ? 10. What is said of Asher ? What Phoenician cities did it include ? 

What is said of them ? What other towns ? What is said of the latter, &c. ? 
11. Who was a native of Gath-hepher ? What is said of Bethulia, &c. ? 
12! What took place at Abel-Beth-Maachah ? What was Hazor? Haro- 
sheth? Kedesh-Naphtali ? 13. What is said of Megiddo? What occurred 

there ? 14. What is said of Shunem, &c. ? Of Dothan ? 


* 




172 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


THE TWELVE TRIBES — [continued]. 

1. In Manasseh west of Jordan was Dor, a seaport, once the seat of a 
Canaanitish king. (Josh. xi. 2.) At Jez'reel there was a palace of tha 
kings of Israel, where the impious Jez'ebel was killed. (2 Kings ix. 33. 
Tir'zah was the capital of Israel, before the building of Samaria. En'do 
was the place to which Saul went to consult a woman who had a familiar 
spirit. (1 Sam. xxviii. 7.) Oph'rah was the native town of Gideon. (Judges 
vi. 11.) Be'zek was a city of the Canaanites where 10,000 of them were 
slain, and Adoni-be'zek, their king, was taken prisoner. (Judges i. 4.) 

2. In Ephraim was Samaria, the capital of the kingdom of Israel, founded 
by Omri, B. C. 910 (1 Kings xvi. 24); it was destroyed by the Assyrians, 
but w T as subsequently rebuilt. She'chem or Si'chem was a very ancient 
city ; here Abraham erected an altar (Gen. xii. 7), and here Jacob and his 
family resided. (Gen. xxxiii. 18.) At Shi'loh the tabernacle was set up (Josh, 
xviii. 1), and remained until the time of Eli, a period of more than 300 
years, after which it was taken by the Philis'tines. 

3. At A'bel-meho'lah the prophet Elisha was born. Jop'pa was the chief 
seaport of the Israelites; from hence Jonah took ship to go to Tar'shish. 
(Jonah i. 3.) Tim'nath-se'rah was the inheritance given to Joshua; and here 
he died and was buried. (Josh. xxiv. 30.) Ramatha'im-zo'phim, or Ra'mah, 
was the birth-place of Samuel (1 Sam. i. 1—20); there he dwelt (vii. 17), 
and there he anointed Saul to be king of Israel, (x. 1.) 

4. The territories of Dan and Simeon were, at first, a part of Judah, but 
its portion being found larger than was needed, its western districts were 
therefore set apart for the residence of the other two tribes. The portion of 
Dan being of small dimensions, induced the tribe to send out some of its 
people in search of other settlements (Judges xviii.); they accordingly took 
Lia'ish, a city near the source of the river Jordan, and changed its name to 
Dan; it was long the most northern town in Israel. 

5. In Dan were the Philis'tine cities of Ash'dod, Ek'ron, and Gath. To 
Ash'dod the ark was conveyed by the Philis'tines, after they had captured it 
at the battle of Ebene'zer. It is called Azo'tus in the New Testament. Ek'ron 
was a strong city on the coast; it was given by Joshua, first to Judah, and 
afterwards to Dan; but the Israelites did not obtain possession of it until 
the time of Judas Maccabae'us. The ark was brought hither from Ash'dod, 
but it was speedily removed, through fear of divine vengeance. 

6. Gath was the native town of Goli'ath, whom David killed; it was taken 
by the latter, after he became king, but was subsequently rebuilt by his 
grandson, Rehobo'am ; it was finally laid waste by Haz'ael, king of Syria. 
Aj'alon was one of the scenes of a renowned miracle, recorded in Joshua x. 


Q. 1. What was Dor? What is said of Jezreel? Tirzah? Endor? 
Ophrah ? Bezek ? 2. What is said of Samaria ? Shechem ? Who resided 
there ? What is said of Shiloh ? 3. Who was born at Abel-meholah ? 

What is said of Joppa ? Timnath-serah ? Ramathaim-zophim ? 4. What 

is said of the territories of Dan and Simeon? Of the portion of Dan? 
What city did they take ? To what was its name changed, &c. ? 5. Na me 

the Philistine cities in Dan. What is said of Ashdod, dec. ? Of Ekron, &c. ? 
6. What is said of Gath ? Of what was Ajalon the scene ? 7. Where were 



THE TWELVE TRIBES. 


173 


12,13, when, in a battle between the Israelites and the five king's of the Ca'- 
naanites, “ the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had 
avenged themselves upon their enemies.” 

7. In Simeon were Ga'za and As'kelon or As'calon, cities of the Philis'- 
tines. From the first Samson carried away the gates of the city ; and, when 
\e fell into the hands of the Philis'tines, they deprived him of his sight, and 
set him to grind in the prison-house at Ga'za, &c. (Judges xvi.) As'kelon 
was the birth-place of Herod the Great; it was famous in the time of th® 
Crusades. Zik'lag was given to David by A'chish, king of Gath, when he 
fled to the Philistines for fear of Saul. (1 Sam. xxvii. 6.) Ge'rar was the 
residence both of Abraham and Isaac. (Gen. xx. 1.; xxvi. 6.) 

8. At Beer'sheba, also, Abraham and Isaac both resided, and here the former 
made a treaty with Abim'elech, king of Ge'rar, which was confirmed with 
an oath ; whence its name, which signifies the “ well of the oath.” (Gen. 
xxi. 31.) A town was afterwards built here, which was considered the most 
southern in the Land of Israel. 

9. Jer'icho, in the tribe of Benjamin, was the first conquest of the Israelites 
after they had crossed the Jordan ; its walls fell miraculously to the ground, 
when it was captured and destroyed. It was subsequently rebuilt, and be¬ 
came a great city. At Gil'gal the Israelites encamped, after they passed 
the Jordan; there they set up the twelve stones which they took out of the 
midst of the river, as a monument. (Josh. iv. 20.) 

10. Gib'eah, called Gib'eah of Saul, was the residence of Saul, king of 
Israel. -Gib'eon was a royal city of the Ca'naanites. The inhabitants 
having deceived Joshua by an artifice, had their lives spared, but were con¬ 
demned to be the hewers of wood and drawers of water to the Israelites. 
Here, at the command of Joshua, “the sun stood still in the midst of 
heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.” (Josh. x. 12, 13.) 

11. At Beth-el Jacob saw his first vision. (Gen. xxviii. 19.) Jerobo'am here 
set up one of the golden calves, and here was inflicted the punishment on 
the children who mocked Elisha. (2 Kings ii. 23, 24.) Between this place 
and Ai or Hai Abraham first lived after his return from Egypt. (Gen. xiii. 
3.) At Nai'oth Samuel and the sons of the prophets dwelt; and here David 
withdrew from Saul. (1 Sam. xix. 18, 19.). 

12. An'athoth was the birth-place of the prophet Jeremiah. At Ra'mah 
he was released by the Chalde'ans, when they brough* mm prisoner from 
Jerusalem. (Jer. xl. 4.) Bahu'rim was the place where Shim'ei cursed 
David, and threw stones at him. (2 Sam. xvi. 5, 6.) At Ze'lah Saul was 
buried. (2 Sam. xxi. 14.) 


Map No. 8.—Point out Manasseh west of Jordan. What river formed its 
eastern boundary ? The southern ? Point out the towns mentioned in the 
text. Where is Ephraim? What tribe bounded Ephraim on the north? 


Gaza and Askelon ? By whom were the gates of the former carried away? 
What after occurred to Samson? What is said of Askelon? Ziklag? 
Who resided at Gerar ? 8. What is said of Beersheba, &c. ? What does 

the name signify ? 9. What is said of Jericho ? What did the Israelites 

do at Gilgal ? 10. What was Gibeah? Gibeon? What did the inhabi¬ 

tants do ? To what were they condemned ? What was this place ? 11. What 
is said of Beth-el? AiorHai? Who dwelt at Naioth, &c. ? 12. Who was 

born at Anathoth? Where was he released by the Chaldeans? What 
occurred at Bahurim ? Who was buried at Zelah ? 

15* 




£74 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


^hat tribes south? East? Where is Samaria? The other towns? 
Point out Dan. Simeon. What tribes lay east ? What country south ? 
What stream formed part of the southern boundary of Simeon ? Point out 
the towns in Dan. The towns in Simeon. The cities of the Philistines. 
Where is the tribe of Benjamin ? What tribes lay north ? South ? East ? 
West? Point out Jericho. The other towns. — Map No. 10. — Point out 
Anathoth. Ramah. Bahurim. Zelah. 


- 12 


THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, 

WITH. THE TOWNS NOTED IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES. 

1. Judah was distinguished above all the other tribes of Israel. 
It led the van of the congregation, in the march through the de¬ 
sert, and was the first appointed to expel the Canaanites from the 
Promised Land. It was also the native tribe of David and Solo¬ 
mon, as well as of our Lord, and to it was made the prophetic 
promise, “ the sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shi'loh (the 
Messiah) come.” (Gen. xlix. 10.) 

2. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel and afterwards of Judah, was situ¬ 
ated in the district called the Land of Mori'ah ; it lay within the tribe of 
Benjamin, but Judah acquired it by conquest. The city was built on Akra, 
Mori'ah, and Zi'on, three hills of moderate elevation. The Jews called it the 
Holy City, and the City of God, and it is still known, in the East, by the 
former name. 

3. It is supposed to have existed as early as the time of Abraham, and was 
one of those towns from which the Israelites eould not drive out the Jeb'u- 
sites, the original inhabitants: the latter boasted that their lame and blind 
could defend its fort; but it was taken by David, who made it his residence 
(2 Sam. v. 6, 7), and called it by his own name. 

4. This city comprised, in early times, three divisions, viz. Salem (the 
Lower or Old Tov\~0, afterwards called Akra; Zi'on or the city of David, 
and the Temple. Bez'etha (the New Town) was not built until after the 
time of our Saviour. All these divisions were separated from each other 
by walls and towers, and the whole was encompassed with a high and 
strong wall. 

The hills on which the city stood were separated by deep valleys from 
llie surrounding heights. East of the city was the Vale of Jehosh'aphat; 
south and southwest were the valleys of Gi'hon and Hin'nom. In a certain 
part of this valley, called To'phet, some of the idolatrous kings of Judah 
sacrificed children to the idol Mo'loch. (Jer. vii. 31.) The brook Ced'ron 
or Kid'ron flowed on the eastern, and the stream of Shilo'ah or Gi'hon oh 
the southern side of the city. _ 

Q. 1. What is said of the tribe of Judah? What prophetic promise was 
made ? 2. Describe the position of Jerusalem. What did the Jews call it ? 

3. From whose time is it supposed to have existed ? Of what did the Jebu- 
sites boast? 4. What did the city comprise? Name the divisions, &u 
What is said of them ? 5. What is said of the hills? What was east of 

♦he city ? South and southwest? What is said of the brook Cedron, dec. 7 




THE TRiBE OF JUDAH. 


175 


6. The chief ornament of ancient Jerusalem was the temple of Solomon; 
it was built on Mount Mori'ah, and was a magnificent edifice; it was en¬ 
compassed by spacious courts, and was adorned with rich ornaments of 
gold, silver, and brass. In the innermost part of the temple was the sanctu¬ 
ary, including the Holy of Holies, so called because it contained the Ark 
of the Covenant, and was regarded in a peculiar sense as the dwelling of 
the Most High. This temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnez'zur, but it waa 
rebuilt by the Jews when they returned from Babylonish captivity. 

7. Zi'on, the city of David, was on Mount Zi'on, the highest part of Jeru¬ 
salem ; it was the best fortified and strongest section of the city. It con¬ 
tained David’s house or palace, the queen’s house, Solomon's house or pa- 
ace, called the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the House of the Mighty, 

and other buildings. East of Zion lay the king’s garden, mentioned Jer. 
xxxix. 4. 

8. North of Jerusalem was the rock of Rim'mon, where the remnant of 
the Benjamites, after the destruction of their tribe, abode four months. 
(Judges xx. 47.) Southwest of the city was the pillar which Absalom 
reared up for himself, and called it after his own name. (2 Sam. xviii. 18.) 
In the same direction was the stone called Eben-e'zer, which Samuel set up 
in remembrance of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Philistines 
saying, “ Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” (1 Sam. vii. 12.) 

9. Beth'lehem, or Beth'lchem Ephra'tah, was the native town of David; 
hence it was often called the city of David; here, “in the fulness of time,” 
the Saviour of men, his descendant according to the flesh, was born. Near 
the town were the three pools called the Fountains of Solomon. On the 
road to Jerusalem was the tomb of Rachel, Jacob’s wife. (Gen. xxxv. 19.) 

10. He'bron, twenty-two miles south of Jerusalem, is one of the oldest 
cities in the world. On the plain of Mam're, in the vicinity, Abraham fed 
his flocks, and here he bought a field, in which was a cave where he might 
bury his dead. (Gen. xxiii.) He'bron was David’s first capital; he reigned 
here upwards of seven years before he took Jerusalem. (2 Sam. v. 5.) 

11. Teko'ah was the native town of the prophet Amos; he was at first a 
herdsman. (Amos i. 1.) To Beth'shemesh the Philis'tines sent the Ark 
of the Covenant, which they had captured from the Israelites. It was then 
removed to Kir'jath-je'arim, and remained there twenty years; afterwards, 
to the house of O'bed-e'dom, and thence to Jerusalem, where it was placed 
in David’s palace, and finally in Solomon’s temple. 

12. Adul'lam was a city of Ca'naan, whose king was conquered by the 
Israelites. Near it was a cave, in which David concealed himself. (1 Sam. 
xxii. 1.) At Mare'shah an Ethiopian army, of a million of men, under 
Ze'rad, was defeated by Asa, king of Judah. (2 Chron. xiv. 10.) 

13. At E'phes-dam'min the Philistines were encamped when Goli'ath 
defied the host of Israel in the adjacent Vale of E'lah. (1 Sam. xvii. 1.) 
Bcth-hac'cerem was noted for its vineyards; it is mentioned in Jer. vi. 1 

6. What was Solomon’s temple, &c. ? Describe the temple. What did its 
innermost part contain ? By whom was it destroyed ? What did it contain ? 
8. What lay north of Jerusalem ? Southwest ? What lay in the same 
direction ? 9. What is said of Bethlehem ? Who was born there ? What 

was near the town? On the road to Jerusalem? 10. What is said of 
Hebron? The plain of Mam re, &c. ? What was Hebron? 11. What is 
said of Tekoah ? Bethshemesh ? To what places was the ark afterwards 
removed ? 12. What is said of Adullam ? Mareshah ? 13. What is said 

of Ephes-dammirn ? For what was Betb-haccerem noted? What took 



176 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


At Ba'al-per'azim David defeated the Philis'tines, soon after he was anointed 
king of Israel. (2 Sam. v. 20.) 

14, En-gedi, or the city of palm-trees, was celebrated for its vineyards, 
and its camphire or cypress trees. (Sol. Song i. 14.) The strongholds of 
En'gcdi, in which David hid himself from Saul (1 Sam. xxiii. 29), were pro¬ 
bably caves in the vicinity. At Ma'on the churlish Na'bal, the first husband 
of Ab'igail, resided, though his possessions were in Carmel, a short distance 
to the northeast. (I Sam. xxv. 2.) 


Map No. 8.—What tribe bounded Judah on the north? What tribes on 
the west ? What sea on the east? What countries on the south ? Point 
out Jerusalem. Bethlehem. Hebron. Tekoah. Bethshemesh. Adullam. 
Mareshah. En-gedi. Maon. — Map No. 10. — Where is the Rock of Rim- 
mon ? The Pillar of Absalom ? ft’he stone called Eben-ezer ? Fountains 
of Solomon ? The tomb of Rachel ?—Map No. 11. —Point out the Land of 
Moriah. Salem. Zion. The Temple. Point out the Vale of Jehoshaphat. 
Valley of Gihon. Valley of Hinnom. The Brook Cedron. Stream of Shi- 
loah or Gihon. Lower Fountain. Well of Job or Enrogel. 


-13 


GALILEE AND SAMARIA, 

WITH THE TOWNS NOTED IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES. 

1. The kings of Syria divided the land of Israel west of the 
Jordan, into the provinces of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. The 
country east of that stream was called Perae'a (beyond). These 
divisions were adopted by the Romans, and were in use in our 
Saviour’s time. 

2. The province of Galilee included the territories of Ash'er, 
Is'sachar, Naph'tali,and Zeb'ulon. It comprised some of the most 
fertile and populous districts in Palestine, and was divided into 
Upper and Lower Galilee. The former was called Galilee of the 
Gentiles, from its population being partly of heathen origin. 

3. The inhabitants spoke a corrupt dialect; and hence could be imme¬ 

diately recognised. The apostle Peter was detected by his speech. (Mark 
xiv 70.) Among these people,-however, our blessed Lord chose his disciples; 
and he resided so long in their country, that he was himself styled a Gali¬ 
lean. (Matt. xxvi. 69.) Many of his miracles were wrought there, aitd 
tliither he directed his disciples to repair to meet him, after the resurrection, 
(Matt, xxviii. 7—16.)_ 

place at Baal-perazim ? 14. For what was En-gedi celebrated ? What is said 
of its strongholds ? Of Maon ? 

Q. 1. How did the kings of Syria divide the Lana of Israel west of Jor¬ 
dan ? What was the country east called ? By whom were these divisions 
adopted, &c. ? 2. What did Galilee include ? What did it comprise ? 

How was it divided ? What was the former called ? 3. What is said of the 

inhabitants ? The apostle Peter ? Who were chosen from amongst these 
people ? What is said of our Lord ? What were wrought there ? 4. What 





GALILEE AND SAMARIA. 


in 


4. Caper'naum was an important town ; it was often the residence of our 
Lord; hence it is called his own city. (Matt. ix. 1.) Here he performed 
many miracles, and in its neighbourhood he delivered the Sermon on the 
Mount; yet its inhabitants “repented not,” and therefore their city was 
included with Chora'zin and Bethsa'ida, in a fearful denouncement. (Matt, 
xi. 21—24.) Caper'naum was also the residence of the apostle Matthew. 

5. Tibe'rias was once the capital of Galilee; the lake on which it stood 
was sometimes called the Sea of Tibe'rias. It was rebuilt by Herod An tipas, 
on the site of a more ancient town, and was named by him in honour of the 
Emperor Tibe'rias. After the destruction of Jerusalem, it was noted for its 
Jewish college. 

6. Ca'na, called Ca'na in Galilee, was the town where Christ performed 
his first miracle (John ii.); it was also the residence of Nathaniel. Na'in 
was the place where the Lord restored to life the widow’s son. (Luke vii. 15.) 
At Naz'arcth he resided with Joseph and Mary until he commenced his 
public ministry; hence he was styled Jesus ofNaz'areth. 

7. -Bethsa'ida of Galilee, so called to distinguish it from another town of 
the same name in Perae'a, was the residence of the disciples Andrew, Philip, 
Peter, James,and John. Ac'cho was called Ptolema'is, in the time of Christ; 
it was, on account of its fine harbour, a town of importance in the time of 
the Crusades. It was visited by the apostle Paul, when on his way from 
Tyre to Jerusalem. (Acts xxi. 7.) 

SAMARIA. 

8. Samaria, the smallest division of Palestine, derived its name 
from the city of Samaria. It lay south of Galilee, and between 
the Mediterranean Sea and the river Jordan. Samaria included 
the territories of Ephraim and the western half-tribe of Manasseh: 
it comprised some of the finest portions of Palestine. 

9. When the ten tribes were carried away captive by the Assyrians, the 
Land of Israel was left nearly desolate, but was soon repeopled by heathen 
colonists, and such Israelites as returned from the adjacent countries. These 
mixed races were called Samaritans ; they adopted the religion of Moses % 
but intermingled it with idolatrous rites and ceremonies ; hence they were 
regarded by the Jews with extreme aversion: the latter would not allow 
them to worship at Jerusalem; the Samaritans, therefore, built themselves 
a temple on Mount Ger'izirn, near She'chem, and worshipped there. 

10. Samaria, the chief city, was, in early times, the capital of the king- 

dom of Israel; it was destroyed by the Assyrians, but it was afterwards 
rebuilt. Herod the Great improved it, and called it Sebas'te. It is now 
a mean village, but contains many fragments of ancient buildings, among 
others, the walls of a noble church erected on the site of the alleged prison 
of John the Baptist. _ 

is said of Capernaum ? What is it called ? What was delivered in its 
neighbourhood, &c. ? 5. What is said of Tiberias ? By whom was it re. 

built, &c. ? For what was it noted ? 6. What is said of Cana? Nain 7 

Nazareth, &c. ? 7. Who resided at Bethsaida of Galilee ? What is said 

of Accho ? By whom was it visited ? 8. What is said of Samaria ? De¬ 

scribe its position. What did it include? Comprise? 9. What occurred 
when the ten tribes were carried away captive ? What is said of the Sa¬ 
maritans? IIow were they regarded by the Jews, &c. ? 10. What is said 

efthe city of Samaria? By whom was it destroyed? Who improved it 



178 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


11, Crosare'a, in the time of the Romans the chief town of Samaria, was 
originally a small Greek colony; it derived all its importance from Herod, 
who made it a renowned city and seaport. Here St. Peter converted Corne¬ 
lius, the Roman centurion, and here also St. Paul defended himself against 
the Jews and their orator Tertul'lus. (Acts xxiv.) 

/ 12. Sy'char, previously called She'chem and Si'chem, stood between Mount 

Ebal and Mount Ger'izim. Near the city was Jacob’s Well, where our 
Lord held the memorable conversation with the woman of Samaria. (John 
iv.) The Emperor Vespa'sian greatly improved the town, and called it 
Neap'olis (the New City), which has been since corrupted into Naplous. 

13. Antip'atris was named after Antip'ater, the father of Herod. To this 
place St. Paul was brought by the Roman soldiers, on his way to Cassare'a. 
(Acts xxiii. 31.) Lyd'da was a large town, in New Testament times; there 
St. Peter miraculously healed iEne'as. (Acts ix. 33, 34.) iE'non, near to 
Sa'lim, is mentioned as a place where John was baptizing, “ because there 
was much water there.” (John iii. 23.) 

14. Jop pa, now Jaffa, is thirty-six miles northwest of Jerusalem ; it is 
one of the most ancient towns in the world. The apostle Peter resided for 
some time at Jop'pa, and had there the vision that led to the preaching of 
the Gospel to the Gentiles. In the same place he raised to life Dorcas, a 
woman “ full of good works and alms-deeds.” (Acts ix. 40.) 

Map No. 11. — Where is Galilee? Upper Galilee? Lower Galilee? 
What district occupied the coast of Galilee ? What river separated Galilee 
from Peraea ? What province lay south of Galilee ? Point out Capernaum. 
Tiberias. Cana. Nairn Nazareth. Bethsaida. Point out Samaria. What 
province lay north ? South? East? What sea west? Where is the city 
of Samaria? Sychar? Mount Ebal ? Mount Gerizim ? Jacob’s Well 1 
Ccesarea ? Antipatris ? Lydda ? Joppa ? 




JUDEA AND PERAEA, 

WITH THE TOWNS NOTED IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES. 

1. Judea was the most distinguished, as well as the largest 
province in Palestine; it comprised the territories of Judah, Ben¬ 
jamin, Dan, and Simeon. The interior was rugged and moun¬ 
tainous, but, on the coast, the land was more level and fertile. 
The whole province was noted for its palm trees. 

What was it then called ? What docs it now contain ? 11. What is sai 

of Caesarea, &c. ? Who did St. Peter convert ? Against whom did St. Paul 
defend himself? 12. What is said of Sychar ? What took place at Ja- 
cob’s Well? What is said of Vespasian, &c. ? 13. After whom was Anti¬ 

patris named? Who was brought to this place ? What is said of Lydda, 
&lc. ? Of iEnon ? 14. What is said of Joppa? Who resided there, &c. ? 

Whom did Peter raise to life ? 

Q. 1. What was Judea? What did it comprise? What is said of the 
interior ? The coast ? For what was the province noted ? 2. What is said 




JUDEA AND PER.EA. 


179 



View of modern Jerusalem. 


2. Jerusalem, as it existed in the time of our Saviour, was the 
city built by the Jews who returned from Babylon; but neither 
the city nor the temple approached their first magnificence until the 
reign of Herod, who began about the year 10 B. C. to adorn the 
former with many spacious buildings, and repaired the latter from 
its very foundations, in a substantial and splendid manner. 

3. Bez'etha or the New Town was built by Agrippa, the grandson of 
Herod; in bis time the city is supposed to have attained its greatest extent 
and population; it was upwards of four miles in circuit, and had from 
1^0,000 to 150,000 inhabitants. 

4. Among the places in Jerusalem noted in our Saviour’s history, was the 
temple, in which, when only twelve years of age, he sat in the midst of the 
doctors, “both hearing them and asking them questions” (Luke ii. 46); and 
here also he cast out those that bought and sold in it. (Matt. xxi. 12.) Near 
the sheep or beast market was the Pool of Bethes'da, where he healed the 
lame man on the Sabbath day. (John v. 9.) 

5. On the east side of Zion was the Pool of Sil'oam, in which the blind 
man, being directed by Christ to wash, received his sight. East of the 
city was the garden of Gethsem'ane, where our Lord was betrayed. (Matt, 
xxvi. 36.) Westward was Calvary, where he was crucified (Luke xxiii.33), 
and near to it was the garden containing the sepulchre in which iiis body 
was laid. (John xix. 41.) Southward was the Potter’s Field, called Acel’ 
dama, or the Field of Blood. (Acts i. 19.) 

6. In Salem or Akra was the Fort of Anti'ochus, built by Anti'ochus Epi- 
ph'anes, king of Syria. Fort Antonia was a strong castle, where, in Roman 
times, a legion was stationed. In Zion or the Upper Town was Herod’s 
house, a very splendid structure. Eastward of the city were Beth'phage and 
Beth'any; at the first Christ commenced his triumphal entry into Jerusa¬ 
lem ; at the other, where Mary and Martha resided, lie raised Lazarus from 
the dead (John xi. 43); and near it he ascended into heaven. 

7. The city of Jerusalem was taken and destroyed by Titus, A. D. 70 
Part of it was rebuilt fifty or si^ty years afterwards; and in the fourth cen- 

of Jerusalem? Of Herod? 3. Who built Bezetha? What was the state 
of Jerusalem in his time ? 4. What places in Jerusalem were noted in our 

Saviour’s history ? 5. What lay on the east side of Zion ? East of the city ? 

Westward? Southward? 6. What was in Salem ? What is said of Fort 
Antonia? Herod’s house? What was eastward of the city? What is 







180 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


.ury Helena, the mother of Constantine, caused various chapels and mono, 
ments to be erected on the places rendered memorable by events in the life 
of Christ. Since that time, this city has been annually visited by thousands 
of pilgrims, from all parts of Christendom ; but their numbers are now less 
than they were formerly. Jerusalem is greatly reduced from its ancient 
t T.tent and magnificence, but it is still an object of the highest veneration, to 
.l-aws and Christians as well as to Mahomedans. 



Birth of Christ. 


8. Bethlehem, six miles south of Jerusalem, is memorable for the birth 

of our Lord and Saviour (Matt. ii.; Luke ii. 7.), 4004 years after the creation 
of the world : it is now visited chiefly for the sake of the convent built by 
the Empress Helena, over a subterranean grotto, where is shown a marble 
basin, said to be the manger in which the infant Saviour was laid. > 

9. Jer'icho, the city of palm trees, was, under the Romans, one of the 
principal towns in Palestine, and the residence of Herod the Great. Zac'- 
chcus, the chief of the publicans, lived here. (Luke xix. 1—5.) Near 
the city, Jesus healed two blind men. (Matt. xx. 30.) At Em'maus our 
Lord appeared, after his resurrection, to two of his disciples. (Luke xxiv. 
13.) 

10. At^Jut'tah, in the hill country, the parents of John the Baptist arc 
supposed to have resided. (Luke i. 39.) Ephraim was the town where 
Christ lived, for a time, for the sake of security. (Jflhn xi. 54.) Arimathe'a 
was the residence of Joseph, who begged of Pilate the body of our Lord, 
and buried it in his own tomb. (Matt, xxvii. 57.) 

PERiE'A. v 

11. PeRjE'a was the eastern province of Palestine ; it comprised, 
in its enlarged sense, the districts of Gauloni'tis, Batante'a, Perte'a 


said of Beth phage ? Bethany? 7. When was Jerusalem taken, &c., by 
Titus? What took place fifty or sixty years afterwards? In the fourth 
century ? What has taken place since that time ? What is said of Jeru¬ 
salem ? 8. What is said of Bethlehem? For what is it now visited? 
9. What is said of Jericho? Who lived here? What occurred near the 
city? At Emmaus? 10. Who are supposed to have resided at Juttah ’ 
What is said of Ephraim ? Arimathea? 11. What was Pertes. ? Wha/ 






LAND OF THE PHILISTINES. 


181 


Proper, Iturse'a, Abile'ne, Trachoni'tis, and Aurani'tis; the last 
two lay altogether east of Palestine, and the next two were only 
part in Peras'a. 

12. The Decap'olis was a league composed of ten cities, whence the name# 
they were all in Perse'a except Bethshe'an or Scythop'olis, which lay in Sa- 
ma'ria. The inhabitants were chiefly Greeks, who received various im¬ 
portant privileges from the Romans. Multitudes of people came from these 
cities to our Lord, at the commencement of his ministry (Matt. iv. 25). 
and in some of them he performed several miracles. 

13. In the vicinity of Gad'ara, called the country of the Gadare'nes by St 
Mark, and of the Gergese'nes by St. Matthew, our Lord met and healed 
“ two possessed with devils.” (Matt. viii. 8.) Csesare'a Philip'pi was at 
first called Dan. Our Saviour visited and taught in this place, and here 
he gave the memorable rebuke to Peter. (Mark viii. 27—33.) 

14. Bethsa'ida was surnamed Julias : in a desert place belonging to this 
city, Jesus fed the five thousand. (Luke ix. 10—14.) Mag'dala and Dal 
manu'tha were small towns near the southern extremity of the Sea of Gali¬ 
lee: to the first named belonged Mary, called Mary Magdalene. (Markxv. 
40.) Dalmanu'tha is mentioned by Mark, viii. 10, and Mag'dala by Matthew, 
xv. 39. At Bethab'ara beyond Jordan, “where John was baptizing” (John 
i. 28), it is thought he baptized Christ. 


Map No. 9.—What province lay north of Judea? What sea east? West? 
Country south ? Point out Jerusalem. Jericho. The other towns. Point 
out Persea. What provinces lay west? What country northeast? South¬ 
east ? Point out Gaulonitis. Batanaea. The other districts. The cities of 
the Decapolis. (The names are underscored, in the Map.) Where is Caesarea ? 
The other towns ?—Map No. 11.—Point out Bezetha. The Temple. Pool 
ofBethesda. Pool of Siloam. Gethsemane. Mount Calvary. The Potter’s 
Field. Salem or Akra. Fort Antiochus. Antonia or Anthony. Zion. 
Herod’s house. Bethphage. Bethany. 


-15- 


LAND OF THE PHILIS'TINES. 

TYRE AND SIPON, SYRIA, ETC. 

1. The Land of the Philis'tines extended about forty mile? 
along the coasts of Dan and Simeon; it was divided into five 
lordships, which were named after the five chief cities, Ga'za, 
As'kelon, Ash'dod, Ek'ron,and Gath. These cities were sometimes 
called the Pentap'olis of Palestine. 

did it comprise ? What is said of the last two ? The next two ? 12. De. 

scribe the Decapolis. What were the inhabitants, &c. ? What is said ot 
the people from those cities? 13. What took place in the vicinity of Ga- 
dara? What is said of Caesarea Philippi? 14. What was Bethsaida? 
Magdala and Dalmanutha ? What is said of Bethabara ? 

Q 1 Describ* the Land of the Philistines. How was it divided, &c* ? 

1 « 




182 


SACRED GEO (JR A PHY. 


A 


2. The Philistines were descended from Miz'raim (Gen. x. 14); they 
came, probably, from Egypt, expelled the A'vim, and settled in their Diace. 
They were a warlike people, and several times oppressed the Israelites 
grievously; captured the Ark and defeated Saul. Afterwards they were 
repeatedly overcome by David, and Uzzi'ah, king of Judah, took most of 
their towns. (2 Chron. xxvi. 6.) They have long ceased to exist as a nation, 
thus fulfilling the prophecy; “ The remnant of the Philis'tines shall perish, 
fiaith the Lord God.” (Amos i. 8.) 

TYRE AND Sl'DON OR Zl'DON 

3. Tyre and Si'don were rich commercial cities, that lay wif v ;i 
the bounds of the tribe of Asher, but were never conquered by the 
Israelites. Their territory was the Phoenicia of the Greeks and 
Romans. In the Old Testament it is called Si'don, and also Tyre 
and Si'don. The New Testament name is Syro-Phcenic'ia. 

4. Tyre and Si'don were each governed by their own kings. Hi'ram, king 
of Tyre, was the friend of both David and Solomon, and Eth'baal, king of 
Sidon, was the father of Jez'ebel, the wife of Ahab. (1 Kings xvi. 31.) In 
the reign of Zedeki'ah the kings of Tyre and S'idon sent ambassadors to 
Jerusalem to obtain assistance against Nebuchadnez'zar. (Jer. xxvii. 3.) 

5. Si'don was the oldest town on the coast of Syria: in Joshua’s time it 
was called Great Zi'don. (Josh. xi. 8.) After a long period of prosperity, 
it was, as predicted by the prophet Ezekiel, destroyed by the Persians ; it 
was afterwards rebuilt, but never regained its former importance, and is now 
a small, unimportant town. 



Ruins of Tyre. 


6. Tyre was a Sidonian colony, whence it is called the daughter of Zi'don. 
(Isa. xxiii. 12.) It became the emporium of the ancient world ; and at the 
time of her greatest splendour, Isaiah speaks of Tyre as the “crowning 
city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable 
of the earth.” (xxiii. 8.) The description given by Ezekiel (xxvii.) of the 
trad? of Tyre, its vast extent, and the variety of the commodities employed 
in it, forms the most interesting account of ancient commerce on record. 


2. From whom were the Philistines descended? What were they, &c. 
What afterwards occurred ? What is said of their national existence / 

3. Describe Tyre and Sidon. What is said of their territory, &c. ? 4. O* 

(heir government ? Of Hiram ? Ethbaal ? What was done in the reign 
of Zedekiah ? 5. What is said of Sidon ? Of its destruction? What took 

place afterwards ? 6. What was Tyre ? What did it become ? In whal 

terms did Isa lah speak of Tyre ? What is said of the description given by 









SYRIA. 


18 ? 


7. This city was taken, after a siege of thirteen years, and destroyed by 
Ncbuchadnez'zar, king of Babylon. It rose afterwards to wealth and dis¬ 
tinction, but its subsequent history is not recorded in Scripture. Tyre is 
now a small fishing village, and its condition corresponds most remarkably 
witli what was foretold by Ezekiel. It has become “like the top of a rock, 
a place for the spreading of nets.” (xxvi. 4, 5.) The only remains of the 
ancient city are some broken walls, columns, and arches. 


syr'ia, 

8. Syr'ia was called at first A'ram, from being settled by the 
descendants of A'ram, the son of Shem. It was an extensive re¬ 
gion, and included Pa'dan A'ram and some other countries, as well 
as Palestine; but the latter is always mentioned, in the Bible, as 
a distinct territory. Syria comprised several small kingdoms, such 
as Syria of t)amas'cus, Syria of Zo'bah, of Ish-Tob, of Ma'acah 
of Ha'math, and of Re'hob, which were almost constantly at war 
with the Israelites. 

9. Nearly the whole of Syria was subdued by -David more than 1000 
years B. C., but it regained its independence, and was again conquered, first 
by the Assyrians, then by the Persians, and next by Alexander the Great. 
The Greek successors of that conqueror were the Seleu'cidae, who endea¬ 
voured to force the Grecian idolatiy upon the Jew's, but were manfully 
resisted by the latter under the command of the Mac'cabees. In the time 
of our Lord, Syria was a Roman province, having An'tioch for its capital. 
Judea, and the other districts of Palestine, were its dependencies. 

] 0. Damas'cus is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is mentioned 
in Scripture as early as the days of Abraham, whose servant, Eliezer, was 
born there. (Gen. xv. 2.) It was besieged and taken by David, and after¬ 
wards by Jerobo'am. It was captured by Tig'lath-pile'ser, 740 B. C. 

11. It is noted as the place where Paul received his sight, after the vision 
which he saw in travelling thither; and from the wall of the city he was 
let down in a basket, when his life was in danger. The street called Straight, 
in which he lived (Acts ix. 11), is still shown by the inhabitants. Near 
Damas'cus are the rivers Ab'ana and Phar'par, which Na'aman, the Syrian, 
preferred to all the waters of Israel. (2 Kings v. 12.) 

12. At An'tioch the apostle Luke was born ; and there the followers of the 
Redeemer were first called Christians. (Acts xi. 26.) Hel'bon or Chalybon 
was noted for its wine. (Ezek. xxvii. 18.) Tiph'sah, on the Euphrates, 
was the boundary of Solomon’s kingdom in that quarter. Seleu'cia was a 
noted seaport, from which Paul took ship for Cyprus. (Acts xiii. 4.) Tad', 
mor in the Wilderness, the Palmy'ra of the Greeks, was built by Sc-omon. 
(1 Kings ix. 18.) Ha'math and Zo'bah were towns noted in the time of David. 


Ezekiel ? 7. Of its capture and destruction ? To what did it rise ? What 

is it now ? With what does it correspond ? 8. Describe Syria. What did 

it comprise? 9. By whom was it subdued? Again conquered, &c.? What 
is said of the Seleucidae ? Of Syria in our Lord’s time? 10. Describe Da¬ 
mascus. What is mentioned of it in Scripture ? By whom was it besieged ? 
Captured? 11. For what is it noted? What is still shown ? What are 
near Damascus? 12. W T hat is said of Antioch? Helbon? Tiphsah. 



j.84 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


pa'dan a'ram, 

13. Pa'dan A'ram (the Plain of Syr'ia) was the Mesopotamia 
of the Greeks: A'ram Nahara'im (Sy?ia of the Rivers) is the He 
brew name for the same region. It lay between the Euphrates 
and Tigris rivers, and was the native country of Abraham. 

14. Jacob resided in Pa'dan A'ram, with Laban, and it is believed that 
the wise men who came from the East to worship Jesus, were Mesopota'- 
mians. Ur of the Chaldees, the birth-place of Abraham, is supposed to have 
been in Pa'dan A'ram. At Ha'ran, Te'rah, Abraham’s father, died. (Gen. 
xi. 32.) In the New Testament this town is called Char'ran. (Acts vii. 4.) 
It is now known by its first name. 


Map No. 8.—Point out Dan. Simeon. The Philistines. The five cities. 
Point out Phoenicia. The city of Tyre. Sidon. Accho. This place was 
afterwards called Ptolemais. — Map No. 6. — Where is Aram or Syria? 
Helbon? Tiphsah? Tadmor? Zobah? Hamath ?—Map No. 2.—Where 
is Antioch? Seleucia ? — Map No. 6. — Where is Padan Aram? Haran ? 
Ur ?—Map No. 8.—Point out Damascus. The river Abana. Pharpar. 


- 16 - 

ARABIA, 

INCLUDING AM'ALEK, AM'mON, Mo'aB, e'dOM, MID IAN, ETC. 

1. Arabia is an extensive region which lies south and east of 
the Land of Israel. It comprised, in early times, a number of little 
States, of which Am'alek, Am'mon, Mo'ab, E'dom,and Midian lay 
nearest to Palestine. In the western part of Arabia the Israelites 
sojourned for forty years; and here those wonderful miracles, the 
passage of the Red Sea, the supply of quails and manna, and the 
giving of the law on Mount Sinai, were performed. 

2. The Israelites called Arabia “the East Country” (Gen. xxv.6), 
and its inhabitants “the Children of the Eastand the latter are also 
spoken of, in Scripture, as “the mingled people” that dwelt in the 
desert. (Jer. xxv. 20—24.) The first settlers of Arabia were the 
descendants of Cush, the son of Ham, and from them its southern 
division was, for a time, called Cush or Ethiopia. 

3. The Arabians of the present day are the offspring of Ishmael, the 
son of Abraham and Hagar, concerning whom the prediction, “ He will be 
a wild man,” &c. (Gen. xvi. 12), has been fully accomplished. His descend- 

Seleucia? Tadmor? 13. Describe Padan Aram. Who was born in it? 
14. Who resided in it? What is believed? What is said of Ur? Of 
Haran ? 

Q. 1. Describe Arabia. What did it comprise ? What occurred there ? 
2. What did the Israelites call Arabia ? Its inhabitants ? What is said 
of the first settlers ? 3. Whoso posterity are the Arabians ? What was tho 






ARABIA. 


185 

ints are now literally wild men, living by plunder, residing in teats, and 
roaming free ana unsubdued over their vast sandy deserts. 



Descendants of Ishmael or Bedouins. 


4. The Amal'ekites dwelt in the desert south of the Land of Canaan; they 
attacked the Israelites at Reph'idim, where Joshua defeated them ; long 
afterwards they were routed by Gideon, and then by Saul. After Hezekiah’s 
time, nothing whatever is known of them, as a nation; thus fulfilling the 
denunciation of the Lord; “I will utterly put out the remembrance of 
Am'alek from under heaven.” (Exod. xvii. 14.) 

5. The Am'monites and the Mo'abites, the descendants of Lot, Abraham’s 
nephew, inhabited part of the country that lay east of Palestine. They 
were generally hostile to the Israelites, an^ oppressed them on various 
occasions. They were both conquered by David (2 Sam. viii.; xii. 31), but 
afterwards they regained their independence. Rab'bath-Am'mon and Rab'- 
bath-Moab, the capitals of the Am'monites and the Mo'abites, were both 
noted cities. 

6. The Am'monites occupied the lands of Reuben and Gad, when those 
tribes were carried into captivity; afterwards they became gradually inter 
mingled with the neighbouring nations, and have long ceased to exist. The 
Mo'abites lay south of the Am'monites, and east of the Red Sea. Their 
country was noted for its rich soil and its abundant crops. It was invaded 
by Shalmane'zer, king of Assyr ia, and subsequently by Nebuchadnez'zar 
who carried away the inhabitants captive. 

7. Many of the Mo'abites returned from captivity along with the Jews, 
rebuilt their ruined cities, and remained independent until they were sub¬ 
dued by the Mac'cabees, B. C. 78. Mo'ab became with the Romans, on 
account of its fertility, a favoured district; but its rich soil has long been a 
barren waste, and is now the prey of the Bedouin's. Thus is fulfilled the 
prophecy, “ Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send into 
Mo'ab wanderers, that shall cause him to wander.” (Jer. xlviii. 12.) 

prediction concerning Ishmael, &c. ? 4. Where did the Amalekites dwell? 

By whom were they defeated, &c. ? Describe their subsequent fata. 
5. What is said of the Ammonites and Moabites ? By whom were they 
conquered? 6. What did the Ammonites occupy? What afterwards oc¬ 
curred ? Describe the position of the Moabites. Their country, &c. By 
whom were they invaded? 7. What is said of the return from captivity? 
What did Moab become &c. ? Subsequently? What is fulfilled ? 8. Wha 
16 * 














186 


sacred geography. 


8. E'dom, Mount Seir or Idume'a, was the country of the E'domites, the 
•josterity of E'sau, Jacob’s elder brother. It lay south of the Dead Sea, and 
#vas first inhabited by the Ho'rites, who were expelled by the children ol 
E'sau. The E'domites were constantly hostile to their brethren of Israel, 
and always rejoiced at and took advantage o£ their calamities. 

9. They were rendered tributary by David, thus fulfilling the prediction, 
** the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen. xxv. 23.) Subsequently they 
revolted from Israel; and, when Judah was carried away captive by Nebu- 
chadnez'zar, they conquered the southern part of the country belonging to 
that tribe, and kept possession of it until the time of John Hyrca'nus. For 
their selfish conduct to their brethren, the Lord had declared, “ Thou shall 
be desolate, O Mount Seir,and all Idume'a” (Ezek.xxxv. 15), “and there shaf 
not be any remaining of the house of E'sau;” (Obad. i. 18), prophecies 
which have been fully accomplished. 

10. Se'lah, their noted capital, was taken by Amazi'ah, who changed its 
name to Jok'theel. (2 Kings xiv. 7.) It was once a great commercial em¬ 
porium, and almost rivalled Tyre.. It was long forgotten, but its singular 
position and appearance have latterly attracted visitors. It is now known 
by its Greek name, Pe'tra. E'zion-ge'ber and E'lath were noted seaports 
on the eastern gulf of the Red Sea, whence the fleets of Solomon and Hiram 
sailed to Ophir and Tarshish. 

11. The Land of Mid'ian lay partly east of E'dom and partly along the 
east coast of the Red Sea: it was famous for its camels. The Mid'ianites 
were descendants of Abraham and Ketu'rah : they were early a commercial 
people, and traded to Egypt in spices, balm, &c. Moses, after he fled from 
Egypt, resided here forty years, and kept the flocks of his father-in-law, Je 
thro, priest of Mid'ian. (Exod. iii. 1.) 

12. The Mid'ianites joined ^vith Mo'ab in seducing Israel to sin, for whicl 
they were severely chastised. Afterwards, in conjunction with the Amal'e 
kites, they reduced them to bondage, but on the defeat of their great armj 
by Gideon (Judges vii.), the remnant of these people became incorporated 
with the Mo'abites and E'domites, and Mid'ian ceased to exist as a nation. 

13. The Land of Uz, in which Job resided, was doubtless a rich pastoral 
country (Job i. 3) : it is supposed to have comprised various independent 
tribes, as Jeremiah speaks of all the kings of Uz. (.Ter. xxv. 20.) Ke'dau 
and Nebai'oth lay south of Uz : the people of the former are mentioned as 
archers (Isa. xxi. 17), and both were rich in flocks and hards. (Isa. lx. 7.) 
Sab'tah, Ha'zor, Se'leph, Te'ma, and Hav'ilah were districts in the central 
and eastern parts of Arabia, of which but little is known. 

14. De'dan and Ra'amah were the easternmost districts of Arabia; their 
inhabitants early engaged in traffic, and are mentioned in Scripture in con- 
nection with other commercial States. (Ezek. xxvii. 22.) She ba, the queen 
of which visited Solomon (1 Kings x. 1), lay in the most fertile part of 


is said of Edom, &c. ? Its position? First inhabitants ? The Edomites? 
9. What is said of David? What prediction was fulfilled ? What occurred 
subsequently? What was the effect of their selfish conduct? 10. What is 
said of Selah? What were Ezion-geber and Elath? 11. Describe the po¬ 
sition of Midian. For what was it famous? What were the Midianites? 
What is said of Moses? 12. With what people did the Midianites join? 
What occurred afterwards? 13. Describe the Land ofUz, &c. Kcdar and 
Nebaioth. Sahtah, &c. 14. State the position of Dedan and Raamah. Sheba 
What is said ofSeba, &c ? Hazarmaveth? 



187 


EGYPT, ETHIOPIA, ETC. 

Arabia : its mercl.ants traded in gold and incense. (Isa. lx. 6.; Jer. vi. 20.) 
Se'ba and U'zal were districts in the same region ; the former is often 
mentioned with She'ba. In classical geography the people of both these 
countries are included under the name of Sabse'ans. Ha'zarma'veth lay 
along the shores of the Arabian Sea. 


Map No. 6. — Point out Arabia. What sea bounds it on the west ? What 
river northeast? Where is Amalek ? Ammon? Moab ? Edom? Mi- 
dian ? Land of Uz ? Kedar ? Nebaioth ? Sabtah ? Hazor ? Seleph ? 
Tema ? Havilah ? Dedan ? Raamah ? Sheba ? Seba ? Uzal ? Hazar- 
maveth ? Point out the wilderness. This region, probably, lay east of the 
Land of Israel, as the wind out of the wilderness is also called the East 
Wind. (Hosea xiii. 15.) 



EGYPT, ETHIO'PIA, ETC. 

1. The Land of Egypt was settled by Miz'raim, the son of 
Ham (Gen. x. 6); hence the Israelites termed it Miz'raim, and 
sometimes “ the Land of Ham.” (Ps. cv. 23.) The Arabs now 
call it Mazr or Mizr, an abbreviation of the Hebrew name. 

2. Egypt was visited by Abraham 1920 B. C., on account of a 
famine in the Land of Canaan (Gen. xii. 10); and a similar cause 
led afterwards to the settlement in it of Jacob and his sons. (Gen. 
xlii. 12.) Though the country was preserved from destruction by 
the inspired wisdom of Joseph, yet his brethren, the Israelites, were 
cruelly oppressed by the Egyptians; but Moses was at length 
enabled to deliver them from bondage. 

3. From this period we read no more of Egypt in the Scriptures, until 
the time of Solomon, who married Pharaoh’s daughter. (1 Kings iii. 1.) 
In the reign of his son Rehobo'am Jerusalem was captured by the Egyptian 
king Shi'shak (1 Kings xiv. 25): subsequently, the two nations became 
allies, and, when harassed by the invasions of the Assyrians, the Hebrews 
often looked to the Egyptians for help (2 Kings xvii. 4; xviii. 21), though 
warned by the prophet not “to strengthen themselves in the strength of 
Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt.” (Isa. xxx. 2.) 

4. In these expectations they were generally deceived, and heavy judg 
ments are, denounced against the treachery of Egypt (Ezek. xxix.), which 
have been signally fulfilled. “There shall no more be a prince of the Land 
of Egypt,” is the doom pronounced (Ezek. xxx. 13) about 572 B. C., and from 
that period until the^present day, that country has been ruled entirely by 
foreigners, and has never had a native prince. 

5. The Nile is the only river in Egypt; and it was the largest known to 
the ancients: it is alluded to, in Scripture, as “ the river” (Gen. xli. 1), and 

Q. 1. By whom was Egypt settled? What did the Israelites term it? 
What do the Arabs call it ? 2. What is said of Abraham ? Jacob ? Jo¬ 
seph ? Moses ? 3. What is said of Egypt ? Wh at took place in the reign 

of Rehoboam ? What did the Hebrews do subsequently, &c.? 4. What 

was the result? What judgments have been fulfilled? 5. What is said 




188 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


also as the “flood of Egypt.” (Amos viii. 8.) Its inundations diffused fer¬ 
tility and plenty over the land, while their failure occasioned famine and 
distress. The prophets often foretold a decrease of the usual supply of water, 
as a judgment upon Egypt, for its Wickedness. (Isa. xix. 5.) Among the 
flags on the banks of this stream Moses was hid by his mother, in an 
ark of bulrushes, from the craelty of the Egyptians, but was discovered by 
the daughter of Pharaoh, who brought him up as her own son. (Exod. ii; 



Moses found by Pharaoh’s Daughter. 


6 The southern division of Egypt, the Theba'is of the Greeks, was 
called, by the Hebrews, Path'ros, and its inhabitants, the Pathru'sim. In this 
district stood the city of No, called, in Scripture, “ populous No” (Nahum 
iii 8); it was the renowned Thebes, the city of an hundred gates. Sye'ne, 
now Assouan', is still, as it was in the days of the prophets, the most southern 
town in Egypt. 

7. In Lower Egypt stood Sin or Pelu'sium; a strongly fortified city, and 
called, in Scripture, “the strength _of Egypt.” (Ezek. xxx. 15.) Pi'thom 
and Raam'ses or Ram'eses were the treasure-cities, built by the Israelites. 
(Ex. i. 11.) On or Beth'-shemesh, the Heliop'olis of the Greeks, was a 
large city, not far from Cairo. Joseph married the daughter of the priest 
of On. (Gen. xli. 45.) Phib'eseth is mentioned Ezek. xxx. 17, and Ha'nes, 
Isa. xxx. 4. Goshen, the rich pastoral district in which the Israelites first 
dwelt, lay in Lower Egypt, along the eastern bank of the Nile. 

8. Tahap'anes or Tah'panhes was a resort for many of the Jews, after the 
destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnez'zar. (Jer. xliii. 7—9.) Zo'an was 
the place where Moses wrought miracles in the presence of Pharaoh. (Ps. 
lxxvii. 12.) Noph or Memphis, once the capital of Egypt, is now, as pre¬ 
dicted by the prophet, “waste and desolate.” (Jer. xvi. 19.) 

9. Alexandria, so renowned for its commerce, is alluded to only in the 
New Testament: some of those who disputed with Stephen were Alexan 
arians. (Acts vi. 9.) Apol'los, the associate of Paul, was a Jew of Alexan. 


of the Nile? Of its inundations ? What did the prophets foretell ? V T hc 
was hid among the flags on the banks of the Nile? 6. What was the 
southern division of Egypt, &c. called ? What city was in this district? 
7. What is said of Sm ? Pithom and Raamses? On? Phibeseth? Ha¬ 
nes? Goshen 1 8. Tahapanes? Zoan? Noph? 9. Alexandria? Who 




ETHIOPIA. 189 

dria (Acts xviii. 24), and it was in a ship of Alexandria that the apostle 
sailed from My'ra to Italy. (Acts xxvii. 6.) 

ETHIOPIA OR CUSH. 

10. The term Ethiopia is used in Scripture to designate Cush 
or Southern Arabia, the region that was settled by Cush, the 
son of Ham, and it is thought, also, to signify Babylon as well 
as India. Both the territories now known as Nu'bia and Abyssin ia 
were likewise called Ethio'pia. 

11. The latter is the country of Queen Can'dace, whose treasurer 
was baptized by the apostle Philip. (Acts viii. 36.) Her king¬ 
dom, it is believed, was the Mer'oe of the Romans. That part of 
Africa is well watered by the Nile and its branches; hence the 
prophets (Zeph. iii. 10; Isa. xviii. 1) speak of the rivers of 
Ethio'pia. 

12. The Ethio'pians are mentioned, in Scripture, as “men of stature” 
(Isa. xlv. 14): some of the classic writers speak of them in the same way, 
and modern travellers have noticed tribes, on the Upper Nile, remarkable 
for their height. These people are enumerated, with other nations, as allies 
of the Egyptians (2 Chron. xii. 3). 

13. Seba, mentioned in connection with Ethio'pia (Isa. xliii. 3), is sup¬ 
posed to have been a district on the river Nile. Lu'dim (Isa. lxvi. 19) and 
Chub (Ezek. xxx. 6), were probably in the same region. The Lu'bims and 
Suk'kiims were, with the Ethio'pians, the auxiliaries of Shi'shak’s army when 
he invaded Judah. The first were doubtless the Le'habim or Lib'yans of 
Cyrene, now Barca. The other is conjectured to have been a Nu'bian nation, 
near the Red Sea. The Naph'tuhim dwelt west of the Land of Egypt. 

14. Pul, spoken of by Isaiah (lxvi. 19), was a district in the vicinity of 
the southern boundary of Egypt. An'amim was probably the country of the 
Ammo'nians, now the oasis of Siwah. Put or Phut was one of the sons 
of Ham; his descendants were the Maurita'nians and Numid'ians; they are 
mentioned by the prophet Nahum (iii. 9), as helpers of Nineveh, and by 
Ezekiel (xxvii. 10), as soldiers in the armies of Tyre. 


Map No. 6.—Point out Egypt or Mizraim. What bounds Egypt on the 
north ? On the east ? What is the Scripture name of the stream that flows 
through it? Where is Pathros? No or Thebes? Syene?— Map No. 7.— 
Point out Goshen. Sin or Pelusium. Pithom and Rameses or Raamsest 
On or Bethshemesh. Noph or Memphis. Phibeseth. Hanes’. Tahapanes. 

Zoan._ Map No. 6.—Where is Ethiopia ? What sea lies eastward ? Point 

out Seba. Ludim. Chub, The Sukkiiins. Where is Lubim or Lehabimt 
Naphtuhim ? Pul ? Anamim ? Point out Put or Phut. 

were Alexandrians ? 10. For what was the term Ethiopia used ? What 

was it thought to signify ? What territories were likewise called Ethiopia? 
11. What is the latter ? What was her kingdom believed to be ? By what 
river was it watered, &c. ? 12. How are the Ethiopians mentioned in Scrip¬ 

ture, «fec. ? How are they enumerated ? 13. What is said of Seba ? Ludim ? 
The'Lubims and Sukkiims ? What were the first ? The other ? 14. What 

is said of Pul ? Anamim ? Put or Phut ? For what are they mentioned 
by the prophets ? 




SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


*90 


THE EAST. 

1. The East is a general term, with the sacred writers, for all 
the countries that lay eastward of the Land of Israel. Sometimes 
it applied to Am'mon, Mo'ab, Ke'dar, Uz, &c.,but more especially 
to Shinar or Babylon, Assyria, Elam, and the other regions be¬ 
yond the Euphrates. 

SHl'NAR OR BABYLON. 

2. The Land of Shi'nar was the scene of some of the earliest 
recorded events. Here was built the Tower of Babel, and here, 
the language of the children of men was confounded. In the 
days of Abraham the king of Shi'nar was one of the confederate 
princes who invaded Canaan. (Gen. xiv. 1.) It was one of the 
most fertile countries in the world, but now, as foretold by Jere¬ 
miah, it is “ become a desolation among the nations.” (Jer. 1. 23.) 

3. This region comprised Babel, Babylonia or Chalde'a, and probably, 
at first, some portions of the adjacent territories. In Scripture it is gene¬ 
rally called Babylon. It was intersected by the Euphrates, and bounded, on 
the east, by the Tigris river, and was watered by numerous canals; hence 
it was said “to dwell upon many waters” (Jer. li. 13); and Isaiah called it 
the “desert of the sea” (xxi. 1), probably because during the inundation ol 
its rivers the surface of the country resembled a sea. 

4. Babylon was, for many centuries, a mere province of the Assyrian 
empire, but it attained to independence, and became a powerful monarchy. 
Its first king, mentioned in Scripture, is Bero'dach Bal'adan, who sent let¬ 
ters and a present to Hezekiah. (2 Kings xx. 12.) Subsequently Babylon 
was again brought under the power of Assyr'ia, but, after a period, Nabo- 
polaz'zar rendered it once more independent, when it became the greatest 
empire of that time. Nebuchadnez'zar, the successor of Nabopolaz'zar, con¬ 
quered Judea, destroj r ed Jerusalem, and carried away the people captive. 

5. With the impious Belshaz'zar, the grandson of Nebuchadnez'zar, the 
Babylonish monarchy came to an end. On the last night of his reign he 
gave a splendid feast to his court, in the midst of which the scene of the 
hand-writing on the wall, as related Dan. v. 5—25, took place. The city was 
then taken by the Medes and Persians. From that period Babylon sunk 
rapidly into decay, and for many ages this once proud city has remained in 
the condition predicted by the prophet: “ Babylon shall become heaps; an 
astonishment; without an inhabitant.” (Jer. li. 37.) 


Q. 1. What is the East ? How is the term sometimes applied ? More 
especially? 2. What was the Land of Shinar, &c.? What is said of its 
king? What was this country? 3. What did it comprise? How was it 
intersected ? Bounded, &c. ? What did Isaiah call it ? 4. What is said of 

Babylon? Its first king mentioned in Scripture? What occurred subse¬ 
quently, &c. ? What is said of Nebuchadnezzar? 5. With whom did the 
monarchy end? What took p'ice on the last night of his reign? Wha. 



ASSHUR OR ASSYRIA. 


101 

6. The city of Babylon was built by Nimrod, where the tower of Babel 
stood. In Scripture it is called the “lady of kingdoms,” “given to plea, 
sures” (Isa. xlvii. 5—8), “the beauty of the Chaldees excellency” (Isa. xni 
19), and is always spoken of as a proud and luxurious city. 

7. When at the height of its power, Babylon was the centre of a vast 
commerce. It is styled a “ land of traffic,” “ a city of merchants.” (Ezek. 
xvii.4.) Its manufactures were doubtless noted at a very ear’y period, a* 
we read in Joshua of a “goodly Babylonish garment.” (Josh. vii. 21.) 



Nebuchadnezzar’s golden Image, with the fiery Furnace. 


8. Near the city of Babylon was the Plain of Dura (Dan. iii. 1), where 
the golden image of Nebuchadnez'zar was set up, in the time of Daniel, to be 
worshipped ; which Sha'drach, Me'shach,and Abed'-nego refusing to do, they 
were cast into a fiery furnace, in the midst of which they were most miracu¬ 
lously preserved. (Dan. iii. 21—27.) 

assh'ur or assyr'ia. 

9. Assh'ur or Assyr'ia lay northeast of Shinar, and was one of 
the first settled countries in the world. Nin'eveh, its capital, was 
founded by Assh'ur, the second son of Shem. (Gen. x. 11.) It 
became a great empire, and its monarchs conquered the kingdom 
of Israel, and carried away the ten tribes into captivity. 

10 Nothing is said of Assyr'ia, in Scripture, from its first settlement 
until the time that the prophet Jonah visited Nin'eveh, 825 B. C. (Jonah 
i. 2) ; about fifty years afterwards, Pul rendered the kingdom of Israel tribu¬ 
tary. (2 Kings xv. 19.) His successors, Tig'lath-pile'ser and Shalmane zer, 
executed the threatenings of the Lord against the rebellious house of Israel. 
(1 Chron. v. 26; 2 Kings xvii. 6.) Judah, in the reign of Hezekiah, was 
threatened by Sennach'erib, but the latter was thwarted in his purpose in a 
miraculous manner. (2 Kings xix. 35.) 

was the fate of Babylon from that period ? 6. When and by whom was 

Babylon built ? What was it called in Scripture ? 7. What was Babylon 

when at the height pf its power ? What is said of its manufactures ? 
8. What is said of the Plain of Dura ? Of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- 
nego ? 9. What is said of Asshur ? Of Nineveh ? What did it become ? 

. 0. When did Jonah visit Nineveh ? What is said of Pul ? His succes 


I 

















192 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


11 The Assyrian empire, styled by God himself “ the rod of mine anger" 
(Isa. x. 5), having fulfilled the purposes of the Almighty in the chastisement 
of the apostate Jews, was, in accordance with prophecy (Isa. xxx. 31 ; Mi- 
cahv. 6; Zeph. ii. 13), itself “ beaten down” and destroyed. This event 
occurred about the year 607 B. C., when the Medes and Babylonians cap 
tured Nin'eveh, and partitioned its territories between them. 

12. Nin ?veh, the capital of Assyr'ia, was built on the left bank of the 
Hid'dekel Oi Tigris river; it is called, by Jonah, “an exceeding great city 
of three days' journey” (Jonah iii. 3); and profane writers describe it as 
equalling Babylon in size and splendour. Its wickedness occasioned the 
mission of the prophet, which produced a temporary relormation of the 
inhabitants ; but succeeding prophets speak of the Ninevites as a proud 
and cruel people, and denounce fearful judgments against them, which have 
been long ago accomplished. 

13. Nothing now remains of this great capital except some huge mounds 
of rubbish, which lie opposite to Mo'sul, thus verifying the prediction of 
Zephani'ah ; “ He will make Nin'eveh a desolation, and dry like a wilder¬ 
ness.” (Zeph. ii. 13.) The small village of Nu'nio is on the site of the 
ancient city, the name of which is, no doubt, derived from the latter. 


Map No. 6.—Point out Ammon. Moab. Kedar. Uz. Shinar. Baby.., 
Ionia or Chaldea. The city of Babylon. Assyria. Elam. The Euphra¬ 
tes river. The Hiddekel or Tigris. The city of Nineveh. 


-19- 


E'LAM, ME'DIA, ETC. 

1. E'lam was named from E'lam, the son of Shem; it lay east 
of the Tigris river, and was a very early established kingdom. 
Chedorla'omer, its first known sovereign, lived in the days of 
Abraham. (Gen. xiv. 15.) Elam was the Scripture name for Per¬ 
sia, before the time of Daniel, but afterwards it became a mere 
province of the empire founded by Cyrus. It was the Elyma'is of 
the Greek geographers. 

2. The E'lamites are enumerated by Ezra (iv. 9) among the people of the 
Persian empire ; by Isaiah, as archers, with chariots and horsemen (xxii. 6), 
and by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, as a nation destined to be visited by the ter¬ 
rible judgments of God. (Ezek. xxxii. 24.) In Acts ii. 9, E'lamites are 
mentioned as being present at the miraculous occurrences of the day of 
Pentecost. 


sors ? Of Judah ? 11. What was the Assyrian empire styled, &c. ? Wha. 

took place in accordance with prophecy ? When did this event occur, &c.? 

12. Describe Nineveh. What is it called by Jonah? What did its wicked¬ 
ness occasion, &c.? How do succeeding prophets speak of the Ninevites? 

13. What is said of the remains of Nineveh ? The prediction of Zephaniah ? 
What stands on its site ? 

Q. 1. What is said of Elam ? Of Chedorlaomer ? What was Elam ? 
2. What is said of the Elamites by Ezra ? By Isaiah ? Jeremiah and 
Ezekiel ? Where were Elamites present ? 3. What is said of Shushan ? 




ELAM, MEDIA. ETC. 


193 


A. Shu'sha.n, the capital of E'lam, stood on the river ll'iai. the Choas'pes 
of the Greeks. Daniel resided at Shu'shan, “ which is in the province of 
E'lam.” (Dan. viii. 2.) It was once the capital of the Persian empire, and 
Ahasue'rus, the monarch mentioned in Esther (i. 1), reigned there. 

4. The renowned Cyrus became king of both E'lam and Me'dia, and 
founded the Persian empire. He is called, in Scripture, “ the shepherd and 
the anointed of the Lord” (Isa. xliv. 28; xlv. 1), and became a chosen in¬ 
strument, in the hand of Jehovah, to fulfil various important prophecies. 
Cyrus restored the captivity of the Jews, permitted them to rebuild the city 
and temple of Jerusalem, and returned to them tl e sacred vessels that had 
been carried away by Nebuchadnez'zar. 

5. Almsue'rus, Artaxcrx'es, Dari'us, and a second Artaxerx'es are the 
successors of Cyrus mentioned in Scripture. The first was probably Cum- 
by'ses, the conqueror of Egypt. Artaxerx'es is called, in profane history, 
Smer'dis, the Magian ; by his decree the building of the temple at Jeru¬ 
salem was suspended. (Ezra iv. 24.) Dari'us, surnamed Hystas'pes, was 
the first Persian monarch who invaded Greece; in his reign the temple was 
completed. (Ezra vi. 5.) The second Artaxerx'es, called Longim'anus, 
from the length of his hands, is supposed to be the Ahasue'rus to whom 
Esther was queen. 

6. Ma'dai or Me'dia lay east of Assyria, and was, for a long 
period, one of its provinces. On attaining to independence, Me'dia 
became a leading State in western Asia, and its people were em¬ 
ployed as instruments in executing the Divine decrees against 
Babylon (Isa. iii. T), which were fully accomplished in the de¬ 
struction of that wicked city. Cyax'ares, who conquered Babylon, 
in conjunction with Cyrus, his nephew, was king of MeMia; he is 
called, by Daniel, Dari'us the Mede. 

7. Ha'lah and Ha'bor, by the river of Go'zan, and the cities of the Medes, 
ire mentioned (2 Kings xvii. 6) as places to which the ten tribes were 
carried away captive; but they cannot now be identified. Me'dia became 
a Persian province; the inhabitants, however,long continued to be a distiyct 
people. Jews from Me'dia are enumerated (Acts ii. 9) as among those who 
were with the apostles on the day of Pentecost. At Ecbat'ana or Ach'metha 
the records of the kingdom were kept. (Ezra vi. 2.) 

8. Gog and Ma'gog, Go'mer, Togar'mah, and the North, are 
alluded to, by the Hebrew writers, as regions very remote, and 
inhabited by warlike nations, riding on horses and striking terror 
into the surrounding countries by their numbers and fierceness. 
They are also described as eager “ to take a prey, to carry away 
silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great 
spoil.” (Ezek. xxxviii. 13.) 

What was it once ? 4. What is said of Cyrus ? What is he called in Scrip, 

ture ? What did he become ? How did Cyrus favour the Jews ? 5. Who 

are the successors of Cyrus mentioned in Scripture? What is said of the 
first ? Artaxcrxes ? Darius ? The second Artaxerxes ? 6. What is said 

of Madai or Media ? For what purpose were the Medes employed ? What 
is said of Cyaxares ? 7. What is said of Halah, Habor, &c. ? What did 

Media become ? What is said of the Jews from Media ? 8. What is said 

IT N 



194 


SACRED GEOGRAPH V. 


9. These descriptions have been thought to apply to some of the tribes 
of Central Asia; but the early inhabitants of the regions east and south of 
the Black Sea, who were always noted for the numbers of their horses, and 
their predatory habits, are believed to be the nations meant by the inspired 
writers. 

10. Gog and Ma'gog were probably Scythian tribes. Go'mer comprised 
some of the Celtic nations. Togar'mah was a district not far from Mount 
Ar'arat: in the same region were the kingdoms of Ar'arat and Min'ni, as 
well as Me'shech, Tu'bal,and Kir : adjacent were Hul and Ge'ther; westward 
were Ash'kenaz, Ri'phath, and Ke'dar. Lud was the ancestor of the Ly¬ 
dians. The Greek colonies of iEo'lia, Io'nia, and Do'ris were probably in¬ 
cluded in the Ja'van of the Hebrews. 

1 ] . Tar'shish and O'phir were celebrated regions, often men¬ 
tioned in Scripture ; but they are now both unknown. The first 
was noted for its ships, its merchants, and its commerce; and the 
other for its gold, which is alluded to in many places in the Old 
Testament. (Job xxxviii. 16; Ps. xlv. 19.) 

12. Solomon obtained gold, almug trees, and precious stones from O'phir. 
(1 Kings x. 11.) Some suppose that it was in southern Arabia; others, in 
India, Suma'tra, and Sofa'la, in Africa. Tar'shish is believed, by different 
authors, to have been Carthage in Africa, Tartes'sus in Spain, Tarsus in 
Cilicia, as well as the whole of Africa, except Egypt and Ethiopia. Silver, 
.ron, tin, and lead were brought to Tyre from Tar'shish. (Ezek. xxvii. 12.) 

13. There are two different voyages to Tar'shish described in the Old 
Testament, one by the Mediterranean, and the other by the Red Sea. By 
the latter, which occupied a period of three years, “ gold and silver, ivory 
and apes and peacocks” were imported (2 Chron. ix. 21); and it seems tc 
have been, in every respect, the same as the voyage to O'phir. 

14. The navy built by Solomon and Hi'ram at E'zion-ge'ber (1 Kings ix. 
26), as also that of Jehosh'aphat (2 Chron. xx. 36), was composed of ships 
of Tar'shish. The vessel in which Jonah sailed from Jop'pa, on the Medi¬ 
terranean Sea, was destined for Tar'shish, and seems to have been a regu¬ 
lar passage ship: “ so he paid the fare thereof,” &c. 1 (Jonah i. 3.) 


Map No. 6.—Point out Elam or Persia. The Ulai river. The city of 
Shushan. Sabtecha. This country was settled by one of the sons of Cush. 
Where is Madai or Media ? Ecbatana or Achmetha ? At a vague and 
indefinite distance beyond the foregoing regions the ends of the earth were 
supposed to exist. The term is frequently met with in Scripture. (Zech. 
ix. 10; Acts xiii. 47.) Where is Gog? Magog? Gomer? Togarmah ? 
Meshech? Minni? Tubal, &c.? Mount Ararat? Hul? Gether? Ashkenaz? 
Riphath ? Lud ? _ 

of Gog and Magog, &c. ? How are they described ? 9. To whom have 

these descriptions been thought to apply ? Whom are they beiieved to be ? 
10. What were Gog and Magog probably? Gomer? Togarmah, &.C.? 
What kingdoms were in the same region ? What were Tarshish and 
Ophir ? For what was the first noted ? The other ? 12. What did Solo, 

rnon obtain from Ophir ? Where was it supposed to be ? What is Tarshish 
believed to have been ? What was brought to Tyre from Tarshish ? 
13 What is said of the two voyages to Tarshish ? Of the Red Sea voyage , 
J4. Of the navy of Solomon, &c. ? The vessel in which Jonah sailed ? 




ASIA, ETC. 


195 


-20- 

ASIA, ETC. 

1 The term Asu, as now understood, was not used by the in 
spired writers. The Asia mentioned in the New Testament, was 
the Roman proconsulship of Asia, of which Eph'esus was the 
capital. This is the region alluded to 1 Cor. xvi. 19; “The 
churches of Asia salute you.” It was the principal scene of the 
missionary labours of St. Paul, where he and his fellow apostles 
established the “ Seven Churches” enumerated in Rev. i. 11. 

2. The cities in which they were founded were Eph'esus-, 
Smyr'na, Per'gamos, Thyati'ra, Sar'dis, Philadelphia, and Laodi- 
ce'a. These cities are all, now, with the exception of Smyr'na 
and Philadelphia, either greatly decayed or in ruins, and the 
churches, once so distinguished, have hardly an existence. A few 
Christians, mostly of the Greek faith, are still to be found in Smyr'¬ 
na, and some of the other towns. 

3. Eph'esus, so noted in ancient times for its splendid temple of Dia'na, 
is now a mean Turkish village. The Gospel was introduced there, by the 
apostle Paul, about A. D. 54. It was also visited by Apollos, and was the 
place where Onesiph'orus showed kindness to Paul. (2 Tim. i. 18.) It is 
charged with a falling off from the faith, and is threatened, in consequence, 
that its candlestick shall be removed out of its place. (Rev. ii. 5.) 

4. Smyr'na is the only one of the cities, of this part of Asia, noted in 
ancient times, that is now important. The church at this place is com¬ 
mended, in the address to the seven churches, and is promised “ a crown of 
life.” (Rev. ii. 8—10.) The martyr Polycarp, who was put to death during 
the persecution of the Christians by Marcus Aurelius, about the year A. D. 
169, was bishop of Smyrna. 

5. Per'gamos was once a renowned city, and was famous for its library. 
The Gospel was established here, but it was soon corrupted by the heresy 
ofthe Nicola'itanes, for which the church was reproved, and urged to re¬ 
pent (Rev. ii. 14—16): it is still a considerable town, situated amongst the 
ruins of the ancient city, and has a small Christian community. Tro'as 
and As'sos, in the vicinity, were both visited by the apostle Paul. Not far 
distant was Thyati'ra, the birth-place of the pious Lyd'ia. (Acts xvi. 14.) 
The church here was censured on account of the prevalence of fake doc¬ 
trine. (Rev. ii. 20.) Thyati'ra is now a poor village. 

6 Sar'dis, the ancient capital of Lyd'ia, was once a very important placej 
It became a Christian city, but its works were found not “perfect before God* 
(Rev. iii. 2.) Philadelphia also, in Lyd'ia, is commended in the Revelation 
for its diligence and patience, and encouraged by gracious promises of Dk 

Q. 1. What is said ofthe term Asia ? Of the Asia mentioned in the New 
Testament, &c. ? What was established here ? 2. In what cities were they 

founded? What are these cities now? What are still to be found? 
3. What is said of Ephesus, &c.? 4. Of Smyrna? The church there? 

The martyr Polycarp ? 5. What is said of Pergamos? What is it now? 

What is said of Troas and Assos ? Of Thyatira ? 6. What is said of Sar 



96 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


vine protection. (Rev. iii. 7—10.) It is at present a town of some note : part 
or tl:.e population are Christians. Laodice'a, in Phryg'ia, was once cele¬ 
brated for its magnificence, but is now a heap of ruins; in the Revelations 
it is rebuked for its lukewarmness in the cause of the Gospel, and is coun- 
selled to reform, (iii. 15—18.) 

7. Mile'tus and Trogyl'lium were visited by the apostle; at the former 
he gathered the elders of Eph'esus together, exhorted them to diligence and 
watchfulness, and bade them farewell. (Acts xx. 17—38.) There, on one 
occasion, Paul left Troph'imus sick. (2 Tim. iv. 20.) Cni'dus he passed 
on his voyage to Rome. (Acts xxvii. 7.) The cities of Pat'ara, My ra, 
Attali'a, Per'ga,and An'tioch, in Pisid'ia, were also visited by Paul; in tho 
latter he preached a memorable discourse, but the Jews stirred up the peoplo 
against him, and forced him to leave the place. (Acts xiii. 14—50.) 

8. At Ico'nium, the chief city of Lycao'nia, a district in Phry'gia, the 
Gospel was preached by Paul and Barnabas, and with great success, al¬ 
though they were afterwards obliged to leave the city also, through the hos 
tility of the Jews, and proceed to Lys'tra and Der'be. At the latter Ga'ius 
the fellow traveller of Paul, was born. (Acts xx. 4.) 

9. Lys'tra was the native town of Timothy : here the apostle miraculously 
cured a man who had been a cripple from his birth, which, when the people 
saw, they called Paul and Barnabas gods, and could hardly be restrained 
from worshipping them; but being instigated by certain malicious Jews, 
they afterwards stoned Paul, and left him for dead. (Acts xiv. 8—19.) 

10. Colos'se or Colos'ste and Hierap'olis were cities in Phryg'ia, in which 
Christianity was early established. Ep aphras is mentioned (Col. i. 7; iv. 
12, 13) as pastor of the church of Colos'se, and he is said to have great zea. 
for them that are in Hierap'olis. (Col. iv. 13.) 

11. Gala'tia, a province adjacent to Phryg'ia, was twice visited by Paul; 
the first time in company with Silas and Timothy. Here he introduced the 
worship of the Redeemer (Gal. i. 6—8; iv. 13); he also addressed an epistle 
from Rome to the Galatians. 

12. Pon'tus, a province on the Eux'ine Sea, was the native country of 
Aq'uila, with whom Paul abode in Cor'inth (Acts xviii. 2), and who after¬ 
wards became one of his companions. The apostle Peter addressed his first 
epistle to the people of Pon'tus, as well as to those of Gala'tia, Cappado'cia, 
Asia, and Bithyn'ia. (1 Pet. i. 1.) 

13. Cyprus, once an important island, is, by some, supposed to be the 
Chittim or Kittim of the Old Testament, but others believe that the term 
was applied so as to include the coasts and islands of Greece, Italy and 
Macedonia. The Christian religion was established in it at an early period. 

14. Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel in Cyprus. In Pa'phos, its 
thief city, the former converted the Roman deputy, Ser'gius Pau'lus, and 


dis ? Of Philadelphia ? Laodicea ? 7. Miletus, &c. ? What occurred ai 

Miletus? What is said of Cnidus ? The cities of Patara ? Myra? At- 
talia, &c. ? What did Paul do at Antioch ? 8. What is said of lconium ? 

Of Paul and Barnabas? State the result. 9. Who was born at Lystra? 
What was done by Paul ? Whut then took place ? 10. What is said of 

Colosse and Hierapolis ? 11. Of Galatia? 12. What was Pontus ? Of 

whom was it the native country ? To whom did Peter address his first 
epistle ? 13. What is the island of Cyprus supposed to have been, &c. 1 

14. Who preached the Gospel in Cyprus? What occurred at Paphos? 
What is said of Joses ? Of the brethren ? 



197 


GREECE, ITALY, ETC. 

Itruck the sorcerer El'ymas with blindness, because he opposed the conver 
sion of the magistrate. (Acts xiii. 7—11.) Of this island was Joses, sur- 
named Barnabas, who, having land, sold it and brought the money and laid 
it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts iv. 36.) Many of the brethren resorted hither, 
in time of persecution, from Palestine. (Acts xi. 19.) 


Map No. 2.— Point out Mysia. Lydia. Caria. These provinces, with 
the western part of Phrygia, comprised the Asia Proconsularis of the Ro- 
mans—the Asia of New Testament. Where is Smyrna ? Ephesus? Per. 
gamos ? Thyatira ? Troas ? Assos ? Sardis ? Philadelphia ? Laodicea ? 
Point out Miletus. Trogyllium. Cnidus. Patara. Myra. Attalia. Perga. 
Antioch in Pisidia. Iconium. Lystra. Derbe. Colosse or Colossce. Hiera- 
polis. Point out the Province of Galatia. Pontus. The island of Cyprus 
Paphos. 


-21- 


GREECE, I r fALY, ETC. 

1. Greece or Gre'cia was called at first Ja'van, by the He¬ 
brews. It is mentioned in Isa. lxvi. 19; Zech. ix. 13; Dan. 
viii. 21 ; and is supposed to have signified not only Greece Proper, 
but also Thes'saly, Macedo'nia, and part of Asia Minor. Eli'shah, 
a country with which the Tyrians traded (Ezek. xxvii. 7), was 
probably Hellas, or perhaps E'lis, in the Peloponnesus. 

2. In the time of the apostles, Greece was divided into the pro¬ 
vinces of Acha'ia and Macedo'nia. The first comprised Greece 
Proper and the Peloponne sus, and the other, Macedo'nia Proper, 
Thes'saly and Epi'rus These regions were visited by Paul, and 
other apostles, and they established the Gospel in several cities. 

3. Neap'olis was the first city in Macedo'nia visited by St. Paul (Acts xvi. 
11): from Nicop'olis he wrote the Epistle to Titus. (Tit. iii. 12.) At Philip'pi 
he founded a church, to which he dedicated an epistle from Rome. In this 
city Paul and Silas were put in prison, but an earthquake occurring while 
they were confined, the prison doors were opened. The apostles afterwards 
converted the jailer and his family. (Acts xvi.) 

4. Thessaloni'ca was the birth-place of Aristar'chus and Secun'dus, com 
panions of Paul in his travels. (Acts xx.4 ; xxvii. 2.) To the church in this 
city Paul addressed two epistles. Here Lydia of Thyati'ra was baptized, 
with all her household. (Acts xvi. 14.) Berc'a or Beraea, which lay south¬ 
west of Thessaloni'ca, gave birth to Sop'ater, another of Paul’s companions. 
(Acts xx. 4.) The Bere'ans are commended, by the apostle, for their dili 
gence in searching the Scriptures daily. (Acts xvii. 11.) 


Q 1 What was Greece called at first ? What was it supposed to have 
signified ? What was Elishah ? How was Greece divided in the time of 
the apostles ? What did the first comprise ? The other ? By whom were 
these regions visited ? 3. What is said of Neapolis ? Nicopolis ? Philippi? 

What occurred to Paul and Silas there ? 4. Who was born at Thessalonica ? 
What did Paul address to the church there ? Who was baptized there 7 
What Is said of Berea ? For what were the Bereans commended ? 5. When 

17* 




198 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY 


5. The renowned city of Athens was visited by St. Paul about the ye«ii 
A. D 52. It was famous for its arts, literature, and learned men; the lattei 
were constantly employed in discussions with each other, while the rest or 
the people “spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear som* 
new thing.” (Acts xvii. 21.) 



The Apostle Paul preaching to the Athenians on Mars-hill. 


6. Here Paul’s “spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly 
given to idolatry.” Though the Athenians worshipped many gods and 
goddesses, yet he found an altar inscribed “to the unknown God.” (Acts 
x\ ii. 23.) Mars-hill was a rocky height, where the celebrated court of the 
Areop'agus was held. To this place Paul was brought, as “ a setter forth of 
strange gods,” when, boldly standing up, he reproved the Athenians for 
their idolatry, and preached to them Christ and the resurrection. 

7. From Athens the apostle proceeded to Corinth : he resided there 
eighteen months, and founded a church, to which he afterwards wrote two 
epistles. At Cen'chrea, one of the ports of Corinth, he embarked for Syria. 
The pious Phebe was a servant of the church at this place. (Rom. xvi. I.) 

8. The islands in the ASge'an and Io'nian seas, as well as the almost 
insular regions of southern Greece and Italy, were called, by the Israelites, 
the “ Isles of the Sea,” and the “ Isles that are in the Sea,” and they are 
doubtless the same as the “ Isles of the Gentiles” (Gen.x.5); while those more 
remote, comprising Sicily, Malta, and the Balear'ic Islands, were probably 
the “ Isles afar off.” They seem to have regarded as insular all regions 
separated from them by the sea, or to which they went by water. 

.9. Crete, now Candia, was once an important island, and contained a hun¬ 
dred large cities; its inhabitants were spoken of unfavourably by ancient 
writers, “and this witness is true,” says St. Paul. (Titus i. 13.) Salmo'- 
ne, a city of Crete, is mentioned Acts xxvii. 7, as are also Fair Havens, 

did Paul visit Athens ? For what was it famous ? How were its learned 
men employed ? The rest of the people ? 6. What is said of Paul? De¬ 

scribe Mars-hill. With what was Paul charged? What did lie then do ? 
7. To what place did the apostle proceed from Athens ? What did he 
found ? Where did he embark for Syria ? 8. What were the islands in the 

TEgean and Ionian seas called by the Israelites ? The more remote" 
What did the Israelites regard as insular? 9. What is said of Crete ? Its 
inhabitants / Of Salmone, &c ? The island of Clauda ? What occurred 




















GREECE, ITALY, ETC. 


199 


Lase'a, and Pheni'ce. (xxvii. 8—12.) The island of Clau'da or Gau'los 
was passed by St. Paul, in his voyage to Italy. On the island of Mel'ita 
the apostle was shipwrecked, and there the miracle of the viper fastening 
on his hand, without injuty, occurred. (Acts xxviii. 1—5.) 

10. Samothra'cia or Samothracc (Acts xvi. 11), Mityle'ne or Les'bos (xx. 
14), Chi'os (xx. 15), Sa'mos (xx. 15), Co'os or Cos (xxi. 1), Rhodes (xxi. 1) 
and Pat'mos, are mentioned in the narrative of Paul’s travels; they are all 
islands in the iEge'an Sea, and were, in ancient times, fertile and populous, 
To Pat'mos the apostle John was banished by the Roman emperor Domit'ian. 
(Rev. i. 9.) There he wrote the Book of the Revelations. A cave, in which 
he is said to have lived, is still shown by the inhabitants. 

11. Italy was but imperfectly known to the Jews, until after 
they were conquered by the Romans. In early times it was pro¬ 
bably included in the region which they called Kit'tim or Chit'tim. 
In the New Testament it is mentioned in Acts xviii. 2; xxvii. 1; 
Heb. xiii. 24. 

12. Rome, in New Testament times, was the capital of the civilized world. 
It was a corrupt and wicked city. A church was established in it, by the 
apostles Peter and Paul, and there they both suffered martyrdom in the reign 
of Nero, A. D. 66. Previous to his death, Paul resided in Rome about 
two years, preaching and teaching the Word. Syr'acuse, in Sicily; Rhe'- 
gium, in the southern part of Italy; Pute'oli, near Naples, and Ap'pii Fo'rum 
and the Three Taverns, in the vicinity of Rome, were places which the 
apostle Paul passed through, on his way to the Roman capital. 

1 3. Illyr'icum lay along the east coast of the Adriat'ic Sea ; it is the 
region alluded to by St. Paul (Romans xv. 19), where he says that he 
preached the Gospel from Jerusalem “ round about unto Illyr'icum.” Dal- 
ma'tia, its southern district, is the country to which Titus went and 
preached the Gospel, when he left Paul at Rome. (2 Tim. iv. 10.) 

14. Cyre'ne or Cyrenaica was a district of Lib'ya, some distance west- 

ward of Egypt; it is now a part of Bar'ca. It is several times alluded to in 
the New Testament. Simon, a man of Cyre'ne, bore our Saviour’s cross 
to the place of execution. (Matt, xxvii. 32.) From “ the parts of Libya 
about Cyrene” came also devout Jews to celebrate the feast of Pentecost 
(Acts ii. 10.) Lu'cius, of Cyre'ne, was a preacher at Antioch. (Act* 
xiii. 1.) ^_ 

Map No. 5. — Point out Greece. Macedonia. The Peloponnesus. Ne- 
apolis. Philippi. Thessalonica. Berrea. Athens. Corinth. Cenchrsea. 
The iEgean Sea. Ionian Sea. Island of Crete. Salmone. Fair Havens. 
Lasea. Phoenice or l’hcnice. Gaulos or Clauda. Melita. Map. No. 2.— 
Where is Samothracia or Samothrace ? Mitylene or Lesbos ? Samos ? Coo# 
or Cos ? Rhodes ? Patmos ? Point out Italy. Illyricum. Rome. Syra 
cuse. Rhegium. Puteoli. Appii Forum. Cyrene or Cyrenaica. 

on Melita ? 10. What is said of Samothracia, Mitylene, Sec. ? What are 

they? Where and by whom was the apostle John banished ? What did 
he write there ? What is still shown? 11. What is said of Italy? In 
what was it probably included? 12. What was Rome? By whom was 
the church established there ? What is said of the apostles Peter and Paul " 
Of Paul ? Of Syracuse ? Rhegium ? Puteoli ? Appii Forum, &c.' 
1 3. What is said of Illyricum ? Dalmatia ? 14. What was Cyrene, &e / 

What is said of the Jews ? Christians? Of Simon? Lucius? 




200 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY 


— 22 - 

GEOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATING OUR SA¬ 
VIOUR’S MINISTRY. 

1. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, was born in the time 
of Her'od, king of Judea, in the twenty-seventh year of the reign 
of the Emperor Augustus, and four years before the commence¬ 
ment of the common era. 

2. His parents, Joseph and the Virgin Mary, resided in Naz'a- 
reth, in Galilee; but they were obliged to repair to Beth'lehem, 
Joseph’s birth-place, in order to be taxed; and there the Saviour 
of the world was born, and laid in a manger, because there was 
no room for them in the inn. (Luke ii. 7.) 

3. Various distinct prophecies proclaim the time when the Messiah should 
come. The announcement made by the angel Gabriel to Mary, his mother, 
(Luke i. 35), as well as that of the angel that appeared to the shepherds at 
night (Luke ii. 11), sufficiently testify to the divine nature of his person 
and mission. 

4. On the eighth day after his birth the youthful Jesus was circumcised, 
according to the law of Moses, and on the fortieth day he was presented in 
the temple, when the aged and devout Simeon pronounced him to be “a 
light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel.” (Luke ii. 32.) 

5. The coming of the Divine infant was also hailed by the wise men from 
the East, whose journey to Jerusalem and subsequent inquiries troubled 
Her'od, and being determined to destroy him, he cruelly ordered all the 
children in Beth'lehem, under two years of age, to be put to death; but Jo- 
seph, forewarned of the danger, fled to Egypt, with the virgin and her child, 
and on his return, after the death of the tyrant, went and resided, as before, 
at Naz'areth. (Matt. ii. 1—23.) 

6. We have no farther account of the earlier years of Jesus, save that he 
“grew and waxed strong in spirit,” &c. (Luke ii. 40). When twelve year 
of age, the remarkable scene in the Temple at Jerusalem, recorded Luke 
ii. 46, occurred; after which he returned into Naz'areth, with his parents 
“ and was subject unto them.” (ii. 52.) 

7. At the age of thirty (Luke iii. 23) Jesus was baptized by John in the 
river Jordan, when the Holy Ghost descended “like a dove upon him, and a 
voice came from heaven which said ‘ Thou art my beloved Son.’ ” His 
ministry is supposed to have lasted about three years, during which time 
he taught higher ideas of God, a purer system of morals, and nobler views 
of man and his destiny, than had yet been presented to the world; he also 


Q. 1. In whose time was our Lord born ? 2. What is said of his parents ? 
Of his birth? 3. What do various prophecies proclaim? What does the 
announcement of the angels testify ? 4. What occurred on the eighth day 

of his birth ? On the fortieth ? 5. What is said of the wise men ? Of 
Herod? Of Joseph? 6. What is said of the earlier years of Jesus? 
7. What occurred when he had arrived at the age of thirty ? How long did 
his ministry last? What did he teach? What did he perform 7 8. What 



OUR SAVIOUR’S MINISTRY. 201 

performed numerous acts of goodness and mercy, healed the sick, cured the 
deaf and the lame, and gave sight to the blind. 

8. Some time after the commencement of his ministry, Christ chose twehe 
disciples as assistants in his great work of teaching and regenerating man¬ 
kind. Their names were Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother; James, 
the son ofZebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Barthoromew; Thomas, 
and Matthew the publican ; James, the son of Alphe'us, and Lebbe'us, whose 
surname was Thadde'us; Simon Zelotes, and Judas Iscar'iot. 

9. After his baptism Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness, being 
forty days tempted of the Devil, and did eat nothing. He repelled, how 
ever, all the arts of the tempter. (Luke iv. 13.) He then departed for Gali. 
lee, and came to Naz'areth and taught in the synagogue, but the people 
thrust him out of their city. (Luke iv. 16—29.) Thence he went to Cana, 
where, being invited to a wedding, he performed his first recorded miracle 
by turning water into wine. (John ii. 7—9.) 

10. After a short stay at Caper'naum, he visited other places in Galilee 
and taught in the synagogues. Jesus then went up to the Feast of the 
Passover at Jerusalem A. D. 30, where he expelled the dealers in sheep, 
oxen, &c. from the courts of the temple. (John ii. 12—25.) Departing, 
after a time, from Judea,he journeyed northward to Galilee, through Sama'- 
ria. At Jacob’s Well, near Sy'char, he held the noted conversation with the 
Samaritan woman, and many of the people of Sama' ria believed on him. 
(John iv. 9.) 

11. Arriving at Cana, he healed the nobleman’s son, who was sick at 
Capernaum. (John iv. 51.) Proceeding thither he taught in the synagogue 
as one having authority ; there he also cast out an unclean /spirit, and healed 
Peter’s wife’s mother; after which he preached throughout all Galilee and 
cast out devils. (Mark i. 14—39.) 

12. On going to Jerusalem, to his second Passover, A. D. 31, Jesus cured 
the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda, on the Sabbath. (John v. 8.) Sub. 
sequently he delivered the sublime discourse called the Sermon on the Mount 
(Matt. v. 1—16), after which he healed the Centurion’s servant, and raised 
the son of the widow of Nain to life. (Luke vii. 1—15.) 

13. Christ afterwards takes another journey through Galilee, attended by 
his disciples and several pious women ; crosses the Sea of Tibe'rias ; stills 
the tempest (Matt. viii. 18—27), and arrives in the country of the Gergese'nes 
or Gadare'nes, where he cast devils out of two madmen : he then recrosses 
the sea, to his own city (Caper'naum), and restores to life Jai'rus’s daugh 
ter. (Matt. ix. 25.) 


Map No. 9. — Point out Nazareth. Bethlehem. Belhabara. (This wag 
the place where our Lord was baptized.) The Wilderness of Judea. (Here 
he was tempted.) Mount Quarantania. (This is said to be the ‘mountain 


is said of the disciples? Name them. 9. What occurred after our Lord’s 
baptism? What took place at Nazareth? At Cana? 10. What is said 
of Capernaum, &c. ? Of Jerusalem 7 What occurred afterwards at Jacob’s 
Well? 11. Whom did Christ heal at Cana 7 To what city did he then 
proceed? What took place there? Afterwards? 12. Whom did Jesus 
cure at the second Passover ? What did he do subsequently ? Whom did 
he heal and raise to life? 13. Whither did Christ afterwards journey! 
What sea did he cross? At what country did he arrive? What miracle 
did he perform there ? At Capernaum ? 

^ N* N 




202 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


from whose summit the Devil showed Christ all the kingdoms of the world- 
(Luke iv. 5.) Point out Cana. Capernaum. Galilee. Samaria. Jacob’s 
Well. Sychar. Nain. Mountain of the Beatitudes. (Here Christ delivered 
his divine sermon.) The country of the Gadarenes or Gergesenes. (This 
was the territory around the city of Gadara.)— Map. No. 11 —Where is 
the Pool of Bethesda ? 


-23- 

GEOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATING OUR SAVIOUR’S 
MINISTRY— [continued.] 

1. About this time, A. D. 32, John the Baptist was beheaded by Her'od, 
which Jesus hearing of, retires to a desert place near Bethsa'ida, in Pcroe'a. 
Multitudes flock to hear him. There he miraculously fed the 5000. (Mate, 
xiv. 19, 20.) From this place he sent his disciples to cross the Sea ofTibe. 
rias, while he went up into a mountain to pray. During the night, “Jesus 
went unto them walking on the sea.” When near the ship, Peter, going 
out to meet him, was about to sink, but his master stretched forth his hand 
and saved himr (Matt. xiv. 31.) 

2. About the time of his third Passover, the Redeemer withdrew to the 
borders ofTyre and Sidon, and cast forth the devil out of the Syro-Phcenic'ian 
woman’s daughter (Mark vii. 25—30); returning thence he passed through 
the coasts of the Decap'olis; feeds the 4000; thence embarking on the Sea 
of Tibe'rias, he lands near Dalmanu'tha, from which place he went to Beth- 
sa'ida, where he restores a blind man’s sight. (Mark viii. 5—23.) 

3. Proceeding northward, to Caesare'a Phihp'pi, Christ acknowledges 
himself to be the Messi'ah, and rebukes Peter. (Matt. xvi. 13—23.)' Six 
days afterwards he ascends Mount Tabor, as is supposed, where his trans¬ 
figuration took place. Descending from the mount he casts out a deaf and 
dumb spirit; and at Caper'naum directs a fish to be caught, in the mouth 
of which a piece of money was found, which he paid to the collector as tri¬ 
bute. (Matt. xvii. 27.) 

4 Our Saviour next went up to the Feast of Tabernacles, at Jerusalem, 
where he preached in the Temple (John vii. 2—14), and restored the blind 
man to sight by directing him to wash in the Pool of Silo'am. Lca’ving 
Jerusalem he proceeds to Beth'any; enters into the house of Martha and 
Mary, and commends the attention and choice of the latter. (Luke x. 38— 
42.) 

5. Returning to Galilee, he instructs his disciples how to pray, and utters 
the Lord’s Prayer. (Luke xi. 1.) Subsequently he cured the woman who 
had an infirmity for eighteen years, on the Sabbath day (Luke xiii. 11—13), 
and afterwards, travelling through Samaria, cleansed the ten lepers. (Luk 
xvii. 11—14.) 


Q. 1. Who was beheaded by Herod? Where did Jesus retire? What 
miracle did he perform? What did he then do? What occurred-during 
the night? 2. What miracle did Christ perform in Tyre and Sidon? In 
the Decapolis ? At Bethsaida ? 3. What occurred in proceeding north¬ 

ward ? Six days afterwards ? What did our Saviour do on descending the 
Mount? At Capernaum ? 4. Where did he next proceed? What mira. 

cles r^d he perform there ? What is said of Bethany ? 5. In what does our 

Saviour -nstruct his disciples ? What miracles does he afterwards perform? 




OUR SAVIOUR’S MINISTRY. 


203 


6. At Jerusalem, A. D. 33, at the Feast of Dedication, his discourses in the 
-emple so incensed the Jews, that they took up stones to stone him ; he there¬ 
fore retired beyond Jordan, to the place where John hau baptized. (John 
x. 22—40.) Returning, after a time, to Bethany, Christ raises Laz arus from 
the dead. The Jews seeking to put him to death for this miracle, he retires 
to a city called E'phraim. (John xi. 54.) Soon afterwards, returning towards 
Jerusalem through Jericho, he restores two blind men to sight (Matt. xx. 
17—34), and converts Zacche'us the publican. (Luke xix. 1.) Subse¬ 
quently, at Beth'any,he sups with Laz'arus, and is anointed by Mary. (John 
xii. 1—13.) 

7. On the following day Jesus rode into Jerusalem, attended by a great 
multitude of people, who spread their garments in the road, and cut down 
branches of trees and strewed them in the way. On arriving at the Tem¬ 
ple, he cast out all that bought and sold in it, and overthrew the tables of 
the money-changers, and the tables of them that sold doves, and the blind 
and the lame came to him there, and he healed them. (Matt. xxi. 14.) 



Christ healing the lame and the blind in the Temple. 


8. At this time the Jewish rulers plot our Saviour’s destruction, and Ju 
das agrees with them to betray him. The night before his death he ate the 
fourth Passover with his disciples, and instituted the Lord’s Supper. He 
then retires to the garden at Gethsem'ane, where he is arrested by his ene¬ 
mies. Eeing carried before the Jewish priests, they pronounce him guilty 
and deliver him over to the Roman magistrates, who alone had the power, 
at that period, in Judea, of life and death ; the Jews declaring, “ His blood 
be on us and on our children.” (Matt. xxvi. 1—75 ; xxvii. 1—25.) 

9. Condemned to die as a malefactor, he is nailed to the cross on Mount 
Calvary, and, in the agony of this bitter death, prays for the forgiveness of 
his executioners (Luke xxiii. 34), and with a touching act of filial piety 
commends his mother to his favourite disciple. (John xix. 27.) 


6. What occurred at Jerusalem, at the Feast of Dedication, &c. ? Whom 
did Christ raise from the dead ? What followed ? What took place after¬ 
wards ? Subsequently ? 7. What did Jesus do on the following day ? On 

arriving at the temple ? What is said of the blind, &c. ? 8. What is said 

of the Jewish rulers ? Of Judas ? The night before his death ? Where 
did he then retire ? What is further related ? 9. What is stated respecting 












































204 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


10. Ti.e evangelists relate, that from the time of noon the sun was 
darkened, and about three hours afterwards, Jesus, having cried with a 
loud voice, gave up the ghost. The vail of the temple, they add, was rent 
in twain, from the top to the bottom; rocks were rent, and the graves were 
opened. The Centurion who was present directing the execution, ex¬ 
claimed, “ Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matt, xxvii. 45—54.) 

11. The body of Jesus was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Ari- 
mathe'a, and placed in a new sepulchre that was in a garden near to Mount 
Calvary (John xix. 41.) The Jewish priests, remembering our Lord* 
prophecy, that he should rise on the third day, set a guard, sealing up the 
great stone that secured the entrance. (Matt, xxvii. 57—66.) 

12. Notwithstanding these precautions, the prophecy was fulfilled by his 

resurrection on the first day of the week; and he appeared afterwards re¬ 
peatedly to his disciples, encouraging, consoling, and instructing them. On 
the fortieth day after his resurrection, while with them on the Mount of 
Olives or Olivet, “ he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their 
sight. (Acts i. 1—11.) r 


Map No. 9. — Where is Bethsaida in Peraea? Sea of Tiberias ? Tyre 
and Sidon ? Decapolis ? Dalmanutha ? Caesarea Philippi ? Mount Ta- 
bor? Bethany? Galilee? Samaria ?—Map No. 11. — Point out Jerusa¬ 
lem. The Temple. Pool of Siloam. Gethsemane. Mount Calvary. Point 
out the garden in which was the sepulchre where the body of Christ was 
laid. 


-24- 

GEOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATING THE FIRST SETTLE- 
MENT OF THE CHURCH. 

1. After the ascension of the Saviour, the eleven disciples 
returned to Jerusalem, in order to begin their important mission, 
in obedience to the command of their Divine Master. “ Go ye, 
therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to 
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matt, 
xxviii. 19,20.) 

2. The first act of the apostles was the selection of Matthias to 
fill the place of Judas, the betrayer, who had committed suicide. 
(Acts i. 26.) On the tenth day after the Ascension, the day of 
Pentecost, the Holy Ghost came down upon the disciples, em¬ 
powering them to work miracles, and to speak tongues before 
unknown to them. 


our Saviour’s death? 10. What do the evangelists relate? What did tne 
Centurion exclaim? 11. What is said of Joseph of Arimathea? Of the 
Jewish priests ? 12. What took place notwithstanding ? What occurred 

on the fortieth day ? 

Q. 1. What took place after the ascension? 2. What was the first act 
o>fthe apostles? What came down upon them? 3. What did tliev do at 


i 




FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE CHURCH. 20£ 


3. At that time they preached to the devout Jews assembled at Jerusa- 
Jem, addressing them in the languages of the different countries from 
whence they came ; at which they were all amazed, and gladly received tha 
Word, and were baptized to the number of three thousand souls. (Acte ii. 

1—41.) Thus was formed the first Christian church at Jerusalem, A. D. 
33, and James the Less or Just, the cousin of our Lord, was chosen as its 
first presbyter or bishop. 

4 The second church was established at Antioch, in Syria, by those who 
ed thither after Stephen’s death; and there, about A. D. 40, the disciple* 
were first called Christians. (Acts xi. 26.) 

5. The first disciples of our Lord, as well as those afterwards added to 
their number, visited as missionaries nearly all the regions of the earth 
then known. Simon Peter-preached the Gospel in Palestine, in the city of 
Antioch, and in Rome, where he was crucified A. D. 67. John the Evan¬ 
gelist preached in Palestine, and also in Asia Minor. In the reign of 
Domitian he was taken to Rome, and then exiled to the island of Patmos ; 
but returned thence, and died at Ephesus A. D. 100. James called the 
Greater, the brother of John, was put to death by Herod A. D. 44. (Acts xii.) 

6. Of the labours of the other apostles, but little is recorded in Scripture, 
and what is known of them is derived from other sources. Andrew, the bro¬ 
ther of Simon Peter, preached in Greece, where he was crucified A. D. 83. 
Philip preached in Asia Minor, and suffered martyrdom at Hierapolis, in 
Phrygia. Bartholomew preached in Arabia, Persia and Armenia, and 
was put to death in the latter country. Thomas preached in Parthia, 
Bactria, and in India. Matthew the Evangelist preached in Persia, and 
died there a martyr. Lebbeus, the brother of James the Less, called also 
Jude, preached in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. Simon Zelotes preached 
in Egypt, Libya, and Mauritania. 

7. Paul, surnamed the Apostle of the Gentiles, was born of Jewish parents, 
of the tribe of Benjamin, at Tarsus, in Cilicia, and inherited all the rights 
of a Roman citizen. He was well instructed both in Hebrew and'Greek 
learning, and was at first an implacable enemy of Christ. When on a jour¬ 
ney to Damascus, A. D. 37, to persecute the Christians there, he was 
miraculously converted, and became a most ardent and powerful preachei 
of the Word, “and laboured more abundantly than all the others” in con¬ 
verting the heathen. 

8. Arabia, Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, and the islands of the Mediterra¬ 
nean, were the scenes of his unwearied exertions. In all his journeys he 
laboured to establish new churches, and to confirm the faith of those already 
existing. The churches of Philippi, in Macedonia, of Corinth, Ephesus 
and Galatia, honoured him as their founder, and the epistles that he wrote 
to those that were in the chief cities of Greece and Asia Minor, show the 
paternal care which he exercised over them. 

9. After labouring for more than twenty years in the service of the 
Redeemer, Paul went to Jerusalem, A. D. 60, with money that he had col- 

that time ? How many were baptized ? What is said of the first church ? 
4. Where was the second church established, &c. ? 5. What is said of the 

first disciples of our Lord, &c. ? Of Simon Peter ? John the Evangelist? 
James the Greater ? 6. What is said of the other apostles ? Where did 

Andrew preach, &c. ? Bartholomew ? Thomas ? Matthew ? Lebbeus ? 
Simon Zelotes ? 7. W T hat is said of Paul ? What occurred on a journey to 

Damascus? 8. What countries were the scenes of Paul’s labours 't Wbat 
is said of his journeys ? The churches of Philippi, &c. ? 9. What occurred 
18 



206 


SACRED GEOGRAPHY. 


lected for th; relief of oppressed Christians in Palestine. There the Jew* 
excited such a tumult against him, that Lycias, the Roman commander ot 
the garrison, was forced to interfere to save him from being torn to pieces. 
He was then arrested and sent, under a guard of soldiers, to Caesarea, where 
he was kept a prisoner for two years by the Roman governors Festus and 
Felix. 

10. Having been illegally imprisoned, he appealed, as a Roman citizen, to 
Csesar, and was sent to Rome. On the voyage thither he was shipwrecked 
at Melita, and in the spring of A. D. 63, arrived at the capital of the civi¬ 
lized world. There he was kept as a prisoner, but gained over, notwith¬ 
standing, many distinguished Romans to the Christian faith. Paul was set 
at liberty A. D. 64; but the accounts of his farther travels in Spain, Mace¬ 
donia, and Greece, are doubtful. In A. D. 66, he returned to Rome, was 
again arrested, and died the death of a martyr. 

11. Mark the Evangelist was the friend and companion of the apostle 
Peter, under whose direction he composed his Gospel. He preached at 
Alexandria, in Egypt, and is regarded as its first bishop. He died there 
A. D. 62. Luke, the remaining evangelist, wrote the Gospel that is called 
by his name, and also the Acts of the Apostles. He was long the compa¬ 
nion of Paul, ana joined in all his labours. While Paul was a prisoner at 
Rome, Luke preached the Gospel in Northern Africa and in Eastern Europe, 
and at length suffered martyrdom in Greece. 

12. As early as the end of the first century, Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, 
Greece, the islands of the Mediterranean Sea, Italy, and the northern coast 
of Africa, contained many Christian societies. Their ecclesiastical disci¬ 
pline was simple and conformable to their humble condition, and they con¬ 
tinued to acquire strength amidst all the persecutions that were raised 
against them. 

13. At the end of the second century, Christians were to be found in all 
the provinces; and at the end of the third century, one-half the inhabitants 
of the Roman empire, and of several neighbouring countries, professed 
Christianity. It was at length completely tolerated by the emperor Constan¬ 
tine, in the early part of the fourth century (A. D. 313), and thenceforward 
became the established religion of the civilized world. 


Map No. 5.—Point out Antioch. Point out the countries and places con¬ 
nected with the labours of the apostles Peter and John. Of Andrew. Philip. 
The other apostles. Of Paul. The place of his birth. Conversion. Im¬ 
prisonment for two years. Point out the track of St. Paul’s voyage. From 
what port in Palestine did it commence ? At what city in Phoenicia did the 
ship touch ? In Asia Minor ? In the island of Crete ? Point out the 
island on which the apostle was shipwrecked. At what city in Sicily did 
he afterwards touch? What strait did he sail through? At what port in 
Italy did he arrive? What town did he then reach? What city termi¬ 
nated the voyage ? Point out the city where Mark preached, and of which 
he was bishop. The regions where Luke preached. 


to the apostle A. D. 59 ? 10. What was the result of his i.legal imprison 

ment ? What occurred on the voyage ? At Rome ? What is further 
stated of Paul ? 11. What is said of Mark ? Luke ? 12. What had occurred 
by the end of the first century, &c. ? 13. At the end of the second ? At the 

end of the third ? When was Christianity completely tolerated? 




CHRONOLOGY 


1. Chronology is the science of computing and adjusting the 
periods of time. It ascertains when events occurred, and assigns 
to each its correct date. Thus we learn from it that the world was 
created 4004 years before Christ, and that the flood took place 1656 
years after the creation; and so of all other known and ascertained 
events, each one is placed in connection with its proper period or 
year. 

2. Of the transactions between the Creation and the Flood, we know 
nothing except from Scripture, and of many of those which occurred after 
the flood, and before the time of Christ, we know nothing with certainty 
except from the same source ; but about 800 or 900 years before our Saviour’s 
time, a succession of profane historians arose, from whom, especially those 
of Greece and Rome, numerous facts in Chronology have been obtained. 

3. Various Eras, Epochs or methods of chronology have been adopted by 
different nations. The Greeks reckoned time by Olympiads of four yeats 
each, commencing from the year 776 before Christ. In marking a date by 
this method, the year and Olympiad were both given ; for example, the year 
1845 is the first of the 656th Olympiad. The Romans reckoned time from 
the founding of Rome, 753 years before Christ. Dates reckoned from this 
Era are designated by the initials A. U. C. (ab urbe condita; that is, from the 
building of the city). The year 1845 is the 2598th year of the Roman 
era. 

4. The Christian Era, now in use amongst all Christian nations, was first 
introduced in the sixth century, but was not very generally adopted for 
some centuries after. This begins 4004 years after the creation of the 
world, and four years after the birth of our Saviour. Dates reckoned back- 
wards are usually marked B. C., or before Christ, but those reckoned for¬ 
ward are distinguished by the prefix A. D., signifying Anno Domini, or in 
the year of our Lord. 

5. The Mahomedans reckon time frpm the Hegira, or flight of Mahomet 
from Mecca to Medina, in the year 622 after Christ; but they use the lunar 
year of 354 days; so that thirty-two of our years make thirty-three of 
theirs. The year 1845 is the 1260th year of the Hegira. 

6. Many other epochs or eras have been used in different countries, and 
at different periods. The Jews, Egyptians, Tyrians, Babylonians, Persians, 
and other ancient nations, have each had their eras. The Hindoos and 
Chinese of the present day have modes of reckoning time which differ from 
each other, as well as from our method. In the United States, public docu¬ 
ments, proclamations, &c. have often, besides the date in common use, the 
year of the national independence attached to them. This is computed 
from July 4, 1776, and hence may be reckoned a national era or chrono* 
logical period. 


(207) 





CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 


B.C. 

4004 Creation of the World. 

2944 Birth of Noah. 

2348 The Flood or Deluge covers the whole earth.—Lasts about a year. 
2347 Noah quits the Ark; offers sacrifices of thanksgiving; God appointc 
the rainbow as a pledge that he will never again destroy the eartf, 
by the waters of a flood. (Gen. ix. 11.) 

2300 The Tower of Babel built; confusion of languages; dispersion of 
mankind. 

2233 Babylon founded by Nimrod; Nineveh founded by Asshur; com. 

mencement of the Assyrian monarchy. 

2188 The Egyptian monarchy founded by Mizraim; continues 1663 years. 
2059 Age of Ninus and Semiramis, Assyrian monarchs. 

2000 Sicyon founded—the earliest town in Greece; Sidon founded. 

1996 Birth of Abram, in Ur of the Chaldees; 1998 Noah dies. 

1921 Call of Abram; he leaves Ur; comes to Haran, where his father, 
Terah, dies, aged 205 years ; emigrates to Canaan, with Sarai his 
wife, and Lot his nephew, and dwells at Shechem. 

1920 Abram removes to Egypt; returns the same year. 

1912 Abram defeats Chcdorlaomer and the confederate kings ; rescues Lot. 
1910 Birth of Ishmael, the son of Abram and Hagar. (Gen. xvi. 16.) 

1897 Destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, &c.; Lot retires to Zoar ; Abram’s 
name changed to Abraham ; Sarai’s changed to Sarah. 

1896 Isaac born at Beersheba; 1871 offered up as a sacrifice by his father. 
1836 Birth of Esau and Jacob; 1821 Abraham dies. 

1800 Argos founded by the Pelasgians, under Inachus. 

1759 Jacob retires to his uncle, Laban, in Padan Aram; 1745 Joseph born. 
1739 Jacob returns to Canaan ; resides at Shechem. 

1728 Joseph sold by his brethren; 1716 Isaac dies. 

1705 Joseph raised to distinction in Egypt. 

1706 Jacob removes to Egypt; 1689, his death; 1635 Joseph dies. 

1600 Hyksos or shepherd kings conquer Egypt; they oppress the Israelites. 
1577 Age of Job; 1575, birth of Aaron; 1571, birth of Moses. 

1550 Athens founded by Cccrops; 1531 Moses leaves Egypt. 

1500 Tyre founded; Gades founded; 1493 Thebes founded by Cadmus. 
1491 Moses returns to Egypt; Exodus or Departure of the Israelites from 
Egypt; cross the Red Sea; law given on Mount Sinai. 

1452 Death of Aaron, aged 123 years; buried on Mount Hor. 

1451 Sihon defeated at Jahaz; Death of Moses, aged 120 years; Og de¬ 
feated at Edrei; the Israelites cross Jordan ; capture Jericho; sun 
and moon stand still at the command of Joshua; 1445, 1444 the 
Land of Canaan divided among the Twelve Tribes. 

(i. How many years have elapsed since the Creation? Since the Deluge? Sine* 
(he building of the Tower of Babel? Where was Sicyon? Sidon? Ur? Haian? 
How long did Noah live? In what direction was Canaan from Haran? Where was 
Shechem ? How old was Abraham at Isaac’s birth? Isaac, when he was offered up? 
How long did Abraham live? Where was Argos? How old was Jacob when he left 
Canaan ? On his return ? How old was Joseph when sold as a slave ? How long did 
Isaac live? Jacob? How old was Joseph when he was raised to distinction ? At his 
death ? Where is Athens ? How many years since it was founded ? Where was Tyre ! 
Gades? Thebes (Greek) ? How old was Moses when he left Egypt ? How old on his 
return? How many years were the Israelites in Egypt? Where is Mount Sinai? 
Mount Hor? Where was Jahaz? Edrei? Jericho? What tribes of Israel lay west 
ot Jordan ? East ? 

,208' 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 


309 


B.c. 

1443 Death of Joshua, aged 110 years ; 1423 Tribe of Benjamin destroyed. 

1406 Age of Minos, the Cretan lawgiver; 1405 Othniel first judge of Israel. 

1400 Troy founded ; Pelasgians expelled from Greece by the Hellenes. 

1365 Age of Sesostris, king of Egypt; a great conqueror; built magnificent 
cities in his dominions. 

1329 Amphictyonic council established. 

1300 Voyage of the Argonauts from Aphetoe, in Thessaly, to Colchis, under 
the command of Jason; Hercules, Theseus, and his other coippa* 
nions were called Argonauts. 

1290 Age of Mceris, king of Egypt; he causes lake Moeris to be dug, to 
receive the surplus waters of the Nile. 

1285 Barak and Deborah defeat Jabin. 

1245 Age oi Gideon ; defeats the Midianites and Moabites. 

1187 Jephtha, the tenth judge of Israel, sacrifices his daughter. 

1184 Troy captured, after a siege of ten years; Age of Agamemnon, Achil. 
les, Diomcdes, Nestor, Ulysses, Helen, Priam, Hector, /Eneas, An¬ 
dromache, &c.; iEneas sails for Italy. 

1156 Age of Eli; 1155 birth of Samuel; 1150 Utica, in Africa, founded. 

1124 Eolian colonies established in Asia Minor. 

1107 Age of Samson : judged Israel twenty years; betrayed to the Phi¬ 
listines by Delilah; buries himself under the ruins of the temple 
of Dagon, with a great number of his enemies. 

1100 Salamis founded by Teucer. 

1095 Saul first king of Israel; 1085 Birth of David; 1062 slays Goliath. 

1055 Death of Saul; succession of David ; 1048 crowned king of all Israel; 
1047 takes Jerusalem from the Jebusites. 

1044 Settlement of the Ionian colonies in Asia Minor; Age of Homer; the 
cities of Smyrna, Chios, Colophon, Salamis, Rhodes, Argos and 
Athens afterwards contend for the honour of his birth. 

1037 The Moabites and Ammonites conquered by David. 

1035 Rabbath Ammon taken by Joab; Uriah killed at the siege. 

1033 Birth of Solomon ; Age of Hiram, king of Tyre. 

1014 Death of David; succeeded by Solomon; Most flourishing period of 
the kingdom of Israel. 

1003 Temple at Jerusalem built and dedicated by Solomon. 

994 Dorians establish colonies in Asia Minor. 

975 Death of Solomon; Rehoboam succeeds him ; his tyranny causes a 
division of the realm into the kingdoms of Judah and Israel; Jero¬ 
boam king of Israel; Rehoboam king of Judah. 

971 Shishak, king of Egypt, plunders the temple at Jerusalem. 

907 Age of the poets Homer and Hesiod ; 900 Pygmalion, brother of Dido. 

897 Ahab, king of Israel, slain ; Ahaziah, king of Judah; Elisha taken 
up to heaven ; 884 Jehu king of Israel. 

880 Lycurgus, the Spartan lawgiver. 


Q When was Joshua born? How long since Troy was founded? Point out Afhe^ 
k®e. On what gulf was it situated? Through what seas and straits, and past what 
tslands did the Argonauts sail on their voyage to Colchis ? Where was Colchis ? What 
is its modern name ? Where is lake Mceris ? Where was Utica ? How long did Troy ex¬ 
ist ? Point out the iEolian Colonies on the Map. Where w r as Salamis ? How many years 
from Joshua to Saul? How old was David when he killed Goliath? How old when 
be became king ? Where were the Ionian colonies ? The seven cities that contended 
for the honour of Homer’s birth? Rabbath Ammon? How old was David when he 
died? Solomon, when he dedicated the Temp'?? Where were the Dorian colonies? 
How long did Solomon live? How many triI k did the kingdom of Israel comprise? 
Kingdom of Judah? When was Carthage ft ded? How many years from the be 
ginning of Saul’s reign to that of Rehoboam ? 

18 * O 



210 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 


b. c. 

878 Cartilage founded by Dido, a Tyrian princess. 

827 Ethiopians conquer Egypt; 825 Jonah visits Nineveh; the people repent 
820 Death of Sardanapalus ; First Assyrian empire destroyed; Median em 
pire founded ; Kingdom of Macedonia founded. 

810 Uzziah, king of Judah, takes the cities of the Philistines. 

800 Persepolis built; 776 Era of the Olympiads begins. 

772 Pul invades Israel. 

753 Rome founded, April 20; 743 First Messenian war lasts 19 years. 

740 Damascus taken by Tiglalh-pileser. 

732 Syracuse founded; 730 Tarcntum founded. 

729 Samaria taken by Shalmanezer; End of the kingdom of Israel; Cap. 
tivity of the Ten Tribes. 

713 Sennacherib threatens Hezekiah; his army miraculously destroyed. 

685 Second Messenian wac; lasts fourteen years; Ira besieged eleven 
years; its capture ends the war. 

657 Holofernes slain by Judith, near Bethulia. 

650 Naval battle between the Corcyreans and Corinthians — the first sea- 
fight on record. 

641 Josiah king of Judah reforms abuses; restores the worship of God. 

630 Cyrene founded ; 627 Nabopolazzar king of Babylon. 

616 Age of Pharaoh Necho; Tyrians in his service sail round Africa. 

607 Nineveh taken by the Medes and Babylonians. 

604 Age of Pittacus (general of Mitylene); Sappho (Greek poetess). 

594 Age of Ezekiel. 

591 Pythian Games begin ; Age of Thales (philosopher); A3sop (fabulist). 
588 Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem ; End of the kingdom of Judah ; Be¬ 
ginning of the Babylonish captivity; 572 Nebuchadnezzar takes 
Tyre, after a siege of thirteen years. 

570 Voyage ofHanno along the west coast of Africa; about the same time 
Himilco sails to Britain. 

560 Union of the Medes and Persians; Cyaxares king of the Medes. 

559 Persian empire founded by Cyrus; Age of Anaximander, inventor oi 
globes and charts. 

548 Cyrus defeats Croesus at Thymbra; Takes Sardis; Conquers Lydia. 
539 Massilia founded; Age of Pythagoras (philosopher) ; Anacreon (poet). 
538 Cyrus takes Babylon; age of Daniel; 525 Cambyses conquers Egypt. 
521 Age of Darius Hystaspes; 518 End of the Babylonish captivity. 

516 Age of Artaxerxes Longimanus or Ahasuerus; Queen Esther. 

515 The Temple of Jerusalem rebuilt; 510 Sybaris, in Italy, destroyed. 
509 Consular government established in Rome. 

504 Athenians burn Sardis; Age of Heraclitus (naturalist); DemocedcF 
(physician); 500 Milesians emigrate from Spain to Ireland. 

500 First Persian war against Greece ; 490 Battle of Marathon ; the Greeks, 
commanded by Miltiades, defeat the Persians, under Dates and Arta- 
phanes; 480 Xerxes crosses the Hellespont at Abydos; Invades 
Greece; Battle of Thermopylae ; Naval battles of Artemisium and 

(l. How many years since Jonah’s time? How long did the first Assyrian empire 
endure ? Where was Macedonia ?' Persepolis ? How many years since the, first Olym¬ 
piad? What is the present year according to that end? How long since Rome was 
founded? Where is Damascus ? Syracuse? Tarentum ? How long did the kingdom 
of Israel endure ? Where is Samaria ? Where was Ira? Bethulia? Cyrene? Nine¬ 
veh? Mitylene? How many years since the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnez¬ 
zar? How long did the Babylonish captivity last ? Where was Thymbra? Sardis 
Of what part of Asia was Lydia a division ? Where is Massilia ? Its modern name 
Where was Sybaris? Point out Marathon. Abydos. Thermopylae. Artemisium 
Salaiuis. 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 


211 


B. C 


479 

470 

465 

457 

445 

431 

424 

406 

401 

400 

395 

394 

389 

379 

371 

362 

360 

357 

351 

343 

338 

336 

335 


I 


323 


Salamis ; Age of Themistocles (Athenian statesman); Anaxagora* 
(philosopher); Pindar (poet) ; iEschylus (tragic writer) ; Corinrw 
(poetess). 

Battles of Plateea and Mycale on the same day. 

The Athenians, under Cimon, defeat the Persians, on the Eurymedoa 
river, twice in one day, first on water and then on land. 

Third Messenian war ; lasts ten years. 

Battle ofTanugra; Age of Pericles (Athenian statesman). 

Age of Herodotus (historian); Phidias (sculptor). 

First Peloponnesian war commences ; continues twenty-seven years 
Age of Hippocrates (physician); Democrates (philosopher, &.C.). 

Boeotians defeat the Athenians at Delium. 

Naval battle of ^Egos Potamos ; Athenian fleet defeated by the Spar 
tans ; Age of Protagoras (philosopher) ; Parrhasius (painter). 

Battle of Cunaxa; Death of Cyrus the younger; Retreat of the ten 
thousand under Xenophon. 

Death of Socrates; 396 Age of Zeuxis (painter); Aristippus (philosopher) 

Veii besieged by the Romans for ten years. 

Spartans defeat the Thebans at Coronaea; Falerii taken by Camillus 
age of the Cyrenaic philosophers. 

Battle of the Allia; Gauls defeat the Romans ; burn Rome; inhabitant* 
fly to Caere or Agylla; Gauls defeated near Gabif by Camillus. 

Age of Plato (philosopher); Conon (Athenian commander); Epaminon 
das and Pelopidas (Theban generals); Diogenes (Stoic). 

Epaminondas defeats the Spartans at Leuctra; 370 builds Messene in 
eighty-five days ; Founds Megalopolis ; Age of Eudoxus (astronomer) 

Battle at Mantinea; death of Epaminondas. 

Methone captured ; Philip of Macedon loses his right eye. 

Phocian war begins ; Lasts ten years; 355 Alexander born. 

Capture of Sidon by Artaxerxes Ochus. 

Age of Aristotle (philosopher), Demosthenes (orator) ; Phocion (Athe- 
nian general). 

Battle of Chaeronea; Philip defeats the Athenians and their allies. 

Philip assassinated; Archidamus, king of Sparta, killed in battle at 
Mandurise. 

Alexander the Great destroys Thebes; 334 conquers Greece; begins 
his Persian expedition ; battle of the Granicus; 333 battle of Issus ; 
siege of Tyre; 332 conquers Egypt; founds the city of Alexandria; 
visits the temple of Jupiter Ammon; 331 crosses the Euphrates at 
Thapsacus ; battle of Arbela; fall of the Persian empire; death of 
Darius Codomanus; 326 Defeat of Porus by Alexander; the latter 
afterwards descends the Indus to the sea; his admiral, Nearchus, 
navigates a fleet from the Indus to the Tigris; Age of Apelles 
(painter); Antipater (Macedonian general, See.). 

Death of Alexander, May 21 ; his empire divided between Ptolemy, 
Cassander, Lysimachus and Seleucus. 


Cl. Where was Plattea? Mycale? What sea lay between those places? Point out 
the Eurymedon river. Into what sea does it flow? Where was Tanagra ? Delium 1 
j$>os Potamos ? Where was Cunaxa ? Through what countries did the ten thousand 
pass, in their retreat? What rivers did they cross ?—See Map No. 5.—Where was Veii? 
Coronaea? Falerii? The Allia river? Ctere or Argylla ? Gabii ? Leuctra? Mes¬ 
sene? Mantinea? Methone? Sidon? Chteronea? Mandurise? In what part of 
Greece was Thebes ? Its modern name ? Where is the Granicus river ? Into what sea 
does it flow? Where was Issus? Tyre? Alexandria? Temple of Jupiter Ammon 
Thapsacus? Arbela? On what river was Porus defeated? Where is the Indus* 
The Tigris ? What was Alexander’s age when he died? How long did he reign ? 



2i2 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 


B. C. 

320 Samnites defeat the Romans near Caudium; their army pass under 
theCaudine Forks ; Age of Praxiteles (sculptor); Demetrius (orator) f 
Phalerius Theopompus (historian) ; Apollodorus (poet). 

312 Seleucus takes Babylon ; dynasty of the Seleucidse begins. 

310 Pytheas, the navigator, sails from Gades to Thule. 

301 Battle of Ipsus, between Antigonus and Ptolemy, Seleucus, Lysimachu* 
and Cassander ; Age of Zeno (philosopher). 

292 The Sabines conquered by Curius Dentatus; Age of Euclid (mathema* 
tician). 

284 The Pharos, or light-house of Alexandria, built. 

281 The Achaean League formed, by the chief cities of the Peloponnesus, 
for mutual defence. 

280 The Romans defeated at Pandosia by Pyrrhus, king of Epirus; Age of 
Antiochus 1st, surnamed Soter, king of Syria. 

274 Romans defeat Pyrrhus ; 272, Conquer Samnium, after a 70 years’ war. 

262 First Punic war begins; continues twenty-six years; 260 Duillius ob¬ 
tains the first naval victory gained over the Carthaginians by the 
Romans ; 256 Regulus defeated by Xanthippus ; Age of Diodatus. 

251 Age of Eratosthenes (mathematician); Callimachus (poet). 

249 Asdrubal defeated at Panormus, in Sicily, by Metellus. 

246 Arsaces founds the Parthian empire ; Age of Hamilcar, a noted Car¬ 
thaginian general, and father of Hannibal. 

242 The Romans defeat the Carthaginians at sea, near the iEgades islands; 
ends the first Punic war. 

231 The Romans take Corsica and Sardinia. 

224 The Spartan king Cleomenes III. defeated by Antigonus Doson ; Co¬ 
lossus, at Rhodes, overthrown by an earthquake ; Age of Apollonius 
(poet); Philopaemen (Achaean general). 

219 Hannibal takes Saguntum; originates the second Punic war, which 
lasts, seventeen years; 218 Crosses the Alps; defeats the Romans, 
first on the river Ticinus, then on the Trebia; 217 Battle of Trasi- 
menus—his third victory; 216 Battle of Cannae—his fourth victory; 
50,000 Romans slain ; Capua declares in his favour. 

212 Marcellus takes Syracuse, after a three years’ siege ; death of Archime- 
des, the noted geometrician. 

206 Asdrubal, the brother of Hannibal, defeated and slain by the Romans; 
Age of Syphax (Latin poet); Ennius (Latin poet); Massinissa, king 
of Numidia. 

202 Sicily becomes a Roman province. 

201 Battle of Zama; Hannibal defeated by Scipio African us; end of the 
second Punic war. 

200 Romans conquer Illyricum ; 197, defeat the Macedonians at Cynos- 
cephalse ; 196 Hannibal banished from Carthage. 

190 Antiochus defeated by the Consul Acilius at Thermopylae ; Age of 
Cato the elder. 

187 Scipio Asiaticus defeats Antiochus I. at Magnesia ad Sipylum. 

186 Scipio Africanus banished to Liturnum. 

183 Death of Hannibal, in Bithynia, by poison, aged sixty-five 


Q,. Point out Caudium. Gades. Thule of Pytheas. Where was Ipsus? The Pelo 
ponnesus? What did it comprise? Where was Pandosia? Epirus? Samnium? 
Where was Panormus? The .Egades islands? Corsica? Sardinia? Rhode* ’ S* 
guntuna ? Where did Hannibal cross the Alps? Where is the Trebia ? The Ticinus 
Into what river do those streams flow? Where was lake Trasimenus’ Canine’ Ca 
pua? Syracuse? Where is Sicily? Zama? Illyricum? Cynoscephalre? Thermo 
pylffi? Magnesia ad Sipylum? Liturnum? Bithynia? 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 


213 


B.c. 

168 Insurrection of the Maccabees against Antiochus, king of Syria. 

168 Paulus iEmilius defeats Perseus at Pydna; Macedonia becomes a Ro¬ 
man province; Age of Hipparchus (philosopher); Polybius (histo¬ 
rian), &.C. 

167 Epirus conquered by the Romans; 165 Age of Judas Maccabaeus. 

149 Third Punic war begins; 146 Scipio destroys Carthage; Mummiua 
destroys Corinth ; Agatharchides (Greek geographer). 

137 Demetrius Nicator defeated at Damascus by Alexander Zebina. 

133 Numantia destroyed by the inhabitants; Spain becomes a Roman pro- 
vince; The kingdom of Pergamus bequeathed to the Romans by 
Attalus, its last king. 

131 Tiberius Gracchus treacherously slain at Potentia. 

109 Jugurthine war begins; lasts five years; 106 Jugurtha betrayed by 
Bocchus to the Romans ; Armenia Major becomes a Roman province. 

105 Aristobulus crowned king of the Jews; 106 Pompey born at Rome. 

102 Marius defeats the Cimbri and Teutones at Aquae Sextae; 101 defeats 
the Cimbri on the Raudian Plains. 

100 Birth of Julius Caesar, July 12 ; this month was named after him. 

92 Bocchus sends Sylla a present of 100 lions from Africa. 

89 The Mithridatic war begins; lasts twenty-six years ; 86 Sylla defeats the 
consuls Carbo and Cinna; Metellus (consul); Sertorius (Roman 
general); 78 death of Sylla; 76 Calaguris besieged by Pompey; the 
inhabitants, reduced to extremity, feed on their wives and children. 

75 Bithynia bequeathed to the Romans by Nicomedes. 

73 Sertorius assassinated by Perpenna and others at Osca. 

73 Servile war begins; Roman slaves revolt against their masters, under 
Spartacus; defeated, two years afterwards, by Pompey and Cras- 
sus. 

72 Lucullus defeats Mithridates the Great atCabira; 69, defeats Tigra- 
nes; captures Tigranocerta; 68, defeats Mithridates at Zela; 66, 
again at Nicopolis. 

67 Pompey takes Coracesium; 65, dethrones Antiochus Asiaticus. 

64 Pontus annexed to Rome; Death of Mithridates the Great. 

63 Palestine conquered by Pompey; Cataline defeated and killed at Pis- 
toria. 

60 First triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus ; Age ofCatullus (poet); 
Cicero (orator) ; Sallust (historian) ; Roscius (actor), &c. 

57 Gaul becomes a Roman province; 55 Caesar invades Britain. 

53 Crassus plunders the Temple of Venus at Hierapolis; his defeat and 
death, by the Parthians, near Carrhae. 

51 Srege and capture of Pindenissus by Cicero. 

50 Civil war between Caesar and Pompey; 49 Caesar crosses the Rubicon, 
takes Ariminum ; 48, defeats Pompey at Pharsalia, July 30th ; death 
of Pompey. 

47 Caesar defeats Pharnaces at Zela; 1 writes from thence his famous letter 
of three words, “ Veni, vidi, vici;” 46 Victorious at Thapsus; Deatn 
of Cato; 45 Battle of Munda; the last in which Caesar commanded, 


Q,. Of what part of Asia did it form a division ? Pydna? Macedonia? How long 
did it endure as a kingdom ? Corinth? Where was Numantia ? Pergamus? Pollen 
tia? Armenia Major ? (The latter was that part of Armenia which lay east of the 
Euphrates.) Point out Aqute Sextre. Raudian Plains. Calagurris. Bithynia. Osca 
Cabira. Tigrarncerta. Zela. Nicopolis. Coracesium. Pontus. Palestine. Hew 
many years from the end of the Babylonish captivity until the conquest of Palestine by 
the Romans? Point out Pistoria. Gaul. Britain. Hierapolis. Carrhae. Pindenissus 
The Rubicon. Ariminum. Pharsalia. Zela. Thapsus. Munda. 



214 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 


B. c. 

44 Caesar killed in the Senate-house, March 15th, by Brutus, Cassius, &o. 

43 Antony defeats the consul Pansa, and is defeated the same day by 
Hirtius; Cicero murdered by order of Antony ; Age of Varro (histo¬ 
rian and philosopher); Diodorus Siculus and Pompeius (historians). 

42 Antony and Octavius defeat Brutus and Cassius at Philippi. 

37 Herod, an Idumean, placed on the Jewish throne. 

31 Naval battle at Actium ; Octavius defeats Antony ; Ends the Common 
wealth of Rome. 

30 Death of Antony and Cleopatra; Egypt becomes a Roman province. 

28 Roman empire begins. 

27 Title of Augustus given to Octavius; Augustan age; Virgil, Livy 
Ovid, Propertius (poets); Horace (historian); Dionysius Halicar 
nassus (antiquarian). 

20 Roman standards taken from Crassus restored to Augustus, by Phraates, 
king of Parthia; death of Virgil. 

19 Noricum and Pannonia conquered by the Romans ; Candace, queen of 
Meroe, in Ethiopia, blind of an eye, invades Egypt, but is repelled. 

15 Rheetia and Vindelicia conquered by Drusus. 

6 Archelaus, surnamed Herod, banished to Vienna, in Gaul. 

4 Jesus Christ, our Saviour, born four years before the vulgar era, Dec. 25. 

2 Murder of the infants at Bethlehem, by order of Herod; his death • 
Archelaus succeeds him. 


A. Z>., First, year of the Christian Era , 4004 years after the Creation. 

2 Silk first introduced into Rome. 

6 Procurators or governors appointed over Judea. 

8 Christ, at twelve years of age, is three days in the temple. 

9 Arminius or Herman, a German chief, destroys the army of Varus 

this defeat causes a great sensation at Rome; Ovid banished to Tomi. 
14 Augustus dies at Nola, after a reign of forty-five years; succeeded by 
Tiberius ; Age of Germanicus (Roman general). 

20 Jews expelled Irom Italy by Tiberius; 28 Age of Strabo (geographer). 
29 John the Baptist commences preaching ; 30 Baptizes our Saviour. 

31 Our Saviour delivers the Sermon on the Mount. 

32 Feeds the 5000; his transfiguration; John the Baptist beheaded. 

33 Our Saviour’s death; First Christian Church at Jerusalem. 

37 Conversion of St. Paul; Death of Tiberius; succeeded by Caligula; 
40 the latter assassinated. 

41 Seneca banished to Corsica; is recalled eight years afterwards; Age 
of Pomponius Mela (geographer). 

43 Expedition of Claudius into Britain ; 51 Caractacus, British king, taken 
as a prisoner to Rome. 

52 Paul visits Athens; 54 preaches the Gospel at Ephesus; Age of Persiu* 
(satirist); 60 Lucan (poet). 

60 St. Paul arrested ; 62 voyage to Rome; 63 arrives in that city. 

61 Boadicea defeated by Suetonius Paulinus at Camulodunum. 

68 Nero dies; Josephus (historian) ; Pliny (naturalist); Petronius (poet). 

69 Galba slain; Suicide of Otho; Vitellus slain. 

Q. Point out Philippi. Actium. How long did the Roman commonwealth last* 
Where was Panhia ? Meroe ? In what direction did Candace march to invade Eevnt * 
\\ here were Noricum? Pannonia? Rluelia? Vindelicia? To what modern couii- 
tries do these correspond ? On what river was Vienna? Where is Bethlehem * Neat 
what rivers was Varus defeated? On what sea was Tomi? Where was Nola* ’ Ca 
mulodunum? 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 


21? 


A.n. 

70 Jerusalem taken and destroyed by Titus, Sept. 8th; Agrieola’s fleet sails 
around Britain; Agricola promotes useful arts among the Britons. 
76 Agricola defeats Galgacus at the foot of the Grampian Hills. 

79 Herculaneum, Pompeii, and other cities, overwhelmed by an eruption 
of Mount Vesuvius ; Death of the elder Pliny. 

81 Titus dies, aged 40; Age of Martial (poet); Quintilian (rhetorician). 
96 Domit’an slain; Age of Tacitus (historian); Juvenal (satirist). 

* 03 Dacia conquered by Trajan ; 106 Age of Pliny the younger ; Plutarch 
17 Death of Trajan, at Selinus, in Cilicia; succeeded by Adrian. 

*20 Wall built by Adrian across Britain. 

139 Death of Adrian, aged 71; Antoninus (emperor) ; Ptolemy (geographer). 

140 Wall built by Antoninus across Britain. 

169 Death of Polycarp the Martyr ; Age of Galen (physician). 

180 Marcus Aurelius (emperor) dies at Sirmium. 

192 The Emperor Commodus slain ; Pertinax succeeds him. 

194 Severus defeats Niger at Issus; becomes emperor. 

210 Wall built across Britain by Severus; 218 Heliogabalus emperor. 

226 Artaxerxes founds 2d Persian empire ; Dynasty of the Sassanides begins. 
238 Maximinus killed by his own soldiers before the walls of Aquileia. 
This emperor was a monster of cruelty, and of gigantic size and 
strength, being eight feet high. 

259 Sapor I. captures the emperor Valerian, and flays him alive; Odenatus 
king of Palmyra; Gallienus succeeds Valerian. 

267 Odenatus dies; Zenobia,his wife, assumes the title of Queen of the East. 
270 Death of Claudius; Aurelian succeeds; regards Zenobia as a usurper; 
272 defeats her at Antioch and Emesa ; 273 captures Palmyra; takes 
Zenobia prisoner; puts Longinus, her secretary, to death. 

275 Emperor Tacitus; 282 Emperor Probus killed, near Sirmium. 

286 Age of the emperors Diocletian and Maximianus. 

305 Both resign their authority to enjoy private life; the first retires tc 

Salona, in Illyricum, and the other to Lucania. 

306 Constantine the Great proclaimed emperor; 313 establishes Christian¬ 

ity as the religion of the empire; 315 defeats Licinius at Cibalis; 
324, again at Adrianopolis; 328 removes the government from Rome 
to Byzantium. 

338 Death of Constantine; succeeded by his sons Constantinus, Constan 
tius and Constans. 

348 Sapor defeats Constantius at Singara; 350 Constantius sole emperor; 

351 defeats Magnentius at Mursa; 353, again at Mons Seleucus. 

860 Julian the Apostate (emperor); 363 dies ; Next year Jovian dies. 

367 Age of Ausonius (poet) ; 37f Emperor Gratian. 

378 Valens defeated by the Goth at Adrianopolis. This was the most dis 
astrous defeat experienced y the Romans since the battle of Cannce 
380 Age of St. Augustine, one of le fathers of the Church. 

395 Theodosius, emperor, divides t\ s Roman empire between his sons Area* 
dius and Honorius, into Eastern and Western. 


Q,. Where was Herculaneum ? Pompeii ? Near what modern city are these two place* 
eituated? Where was Dacia ? Selinus? Point out the Roman wail built by Adrian. 
What A2st. or frith was its western termination ? What river its eastern ? Point out 
the Wall of Antoninus. On what river did it terminate west? On what iEst. east? 
For what purpose were these walls built? Point out Sirmium. Issus. What other 
battle was fought there more than 500 years previous ? Point out the Wall of Severus. 
Where was Palmyra? Antioch? Emesa? Sirmium? Lucania? Salona? Cibalis? 
Adrianopolis? Byzantium? Its modern name? Singara? Mursa? Mons Selei* 
cis ? How many years between the battles of Adrianopolis and Cannae ? 



216 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 

a. D. 

403 Stilicbo defeated by the Goths at Pollentia 

407 The Alans, Vandals and Sueves invade Gaul and Spain. 

408 Alaric takes Rome first time ; 409, second time ; 410, third time; th« 

city given up to plunder for six days; Death of Alaric; Kingdom of 
Burgundy founded. 

441 Age of St. Patrick; 448 Romans leave Britain; Next year Angles and 
Saxons land under Hengist and Horsa. 

451 Attila defeated at Durocatalaunum; 452 destroys Aquileia; 453 Dies 
455 Rome captured by Geneseric, king of the Vandals : Heptarchy estab 
lished in Britain. 

474 Romulus Augustulus, last emperor of the West. 

476 End of the Roman Empire. 

489 Odoacer, chief of the Heruli, becomes king of Italy; Ostrogoths invade 
Italy and defeat Odoacer. 

496 Clovis the Great, king of France; Feudal system begins. 

529 Age of Justinian ; Belisarius (Roman general). 

622 Mahomet, aged 53, flies from Mecca to Medina, which forms the first 
year of the Hegira or Mahometan Era. 

632 Death of MahometAbubeker, his successor or first Caliph. 

636 Saracens conquer Egypt; destroy the Alexandrian Library. 

712 The Moors invade Spain ; 713 conquer the Visigoths. 

742 Charlemagne, son of Pepin the Short, born; 768 crowned king of the 
Franks; 774 crowned king of Italy ; 800 crowned Emperor of the 
West, by Pope Leo III.; 814 Dies. Charlemagne was the most 
powerful Christian monarch of the middle ages : he was a renowned 
warrior : he also encouraged learning and religion, and collected 
around him the most noted scholars of his time. 

827 The Heptarchy united under Egbert, king of England. 

843 Kenneth Macalpine first king of Scotland. 

849 Alfred, king of England, born; 872 ascends the throne; 901 Dies. 
This monarch rescued his country from the power of the Danes; en¬ 
couraged learning and religion; enacted wise laws, and laid the 
foundation of the naval power of Britain 
1000 Brian Boru or Brian the Great, king of all Ireland. 

1066 Danes expelled from England; 1095 Crusades begin, last until 1270. 
1164 Gengis Khan, Tartar conqueror, born; subdues China, and half the 
rest of Asia, besides a portion of Eastern Europe; Dies A. D. 1227. 
1172 Henry II. assumes the title of Lord of Ireland. 

1335 Tamerlane, Tartar conqueror, born; 1307 makes Samarcandhis capi¬ 
tal ; 1390 invades Hindoostan ; conquers many countries in the East; 
1402 defeats Bajazet, Sultan of the Turks, at Ancyra or Angora; 
takes him prisoner, and, according to some accounts, confines him 
in an iron cage. 

1453 Constantinople taken by the Turks, which ends the Eastern Empire. 

a. Where was I'ollentia? Durocatalaunum? Aquileia? When was Mahomet born 
How many years is it since the commencement of the Mahometan Era? How long 
was Egypt a Roman province? How long did Charlemagne live? Alfred? How 
id . ly years did the Crusades last ? Where is Samarcand ? Hindoostan ? Ancyra ? 


THE END. 






























